When it comes to chicken, words cannot describe the ecstasy I feel when I bite into that juicy bird. I've always been a fan of Chinese food as well, but the best General Tso's chicken is from Chinese restaurants, every-time I made the mistake of buying it in the store, it was basically soy sauce with some peppers added. It tasted like complete ass.
So I thusly set out on a mission, not unlike Ponce de León's mission to find the Fountain of Youth. Except, this was bound to actually kill me by clogging my arteries, rather than making me younger.
If it doesn't burn my mouth with spiciness, get it the hell out of here!
If you want it, I've got it, oh hell yes I do!
4 Chicken legs with thighs
1/2 c Soy sauce, everyone goes way the hell overboard, I've seen recipes with like 2/3 or 1 cup soy sauce, that's too fucking much and why it tastes like ass.
1/2 c Distilled white vinegar
1 cl Garlic; minced; I like to do the mincing myself with my wife, makes it romantic to cook together.
1 ts Ginger root; Peeled & minced; everyone always leaves out the ginger.
1 ts Cornstarch; thickens it up some
1 lg Egg; beaten lightly; remember, romantic.
1/3 c Corn oil
4 Dried hot chilis; seeded; If they're not dry, it won't be as hot.
Debone the chicken legs, including the thighs by scraping the meat from the bone, working downward and keeping close to the bone. Pull the meat down over the bone (pulling it inside out like a glove) and cut it free from the bone. Discard the skin and cut the meat from each leg into 6 pieces.
In a bowl combine the soy sauce, vinegar, 1/2 c water, the garlic and ginger root.
In another bowl, combine the egg and cornstarch and dip the chicken pieces. Heat the oil in a wok or deep, heavy skillet until very hot, add the chicken and fry it for 4 to 6 minutes, or until it is crisp. Transfer the chicken with tongs to paper towels to drain and pour off all but 1 T of the oil from the wok. Add the soy sauce mixture, the chili peppers and the chicken and cook the mixture over moderately high heat for 2 minutes, or until heated through.
Serves 4, but hopefully this will be a dinner for two
