Easy Orange Chicken

My two boys love Orange Chicken and often asks for it. I've tried a packaged sauce that came in a frozen "orange chicken" meal....but it wasn't quite right. I wanted to make this sauce without any preservatives too. I sure still use precooked frozen chickens for a quick meal but the result is so much better with this home made sauce. I've also listed a recipe for a healthier version, with a sauteed chicken (as supposed to a deep fried). For vegetarians, I recommend using fried tofu for a texture and it also goes well with the sauce.

Ingredients (6 servings):

· 2 tbsp oil

· 2 tbsp ginger root, minced

· 2 tsp garlic, minced

· 1 tsp crushed red chili pepper (or eliminate this for children)

· 1/2 cup green onion, chopped

· 2 tbsp rice wine

· 1/2 cup water

· 1 tsp sesame oil

*3 tbsp soy sauce

*3 tbsp water

*10 tbsp sugar

Premix these in a cup--> *10 tbsp rice OR white vinegar

*1 1/2 zest of orange

*2tbsp cornstarch

Direction:

1. Add 1 tbsp oil and heat a wok/frying pan

2. Add ginger and garlic and stir fry until fragrant (10 seconds)

3. Add and stir fry crushed chilies and green onions

4. Add rice wine and stir 3 seconds

5. Add Orange sauce* and bring to boil

6. Add chicken**, stirring gently until the sauce is well coated.

7. Mix corn starch and water until smooth and add to chicken

8. Gently toss the chicken with the sauce until thickened

9. Stir in sesame oil and orange zest

**Chickens for Orange Chicken

Either use 1 bag (about 22 oz) of frozen Orange chicken (without sauce) Heated in the oven according to the direction on package.

OR

To prepare non-buttered sautéed chicken for a healthier choice:

· 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, chopped into bite sized pieces

· 1 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

· oil (for frying)

· 1 tablespoon gingerroot, minced

· 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

· cornstarch for dusting

Direction:

1. Place chicken pieces in a large bowl and stir in egg, salt, pepper, gingerroot, garlic and 1 tbsp oil and mix well.

2. Let it marinate for 20-30 min.

3. Heat up a wok or sauté pan with some oil.

4. Add chicken, small batches at a time and sauté until lightly brown

5. When cooked, remove chicken and drain on a paper towel. Set aside.