Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut across the grain in 1/4-inch thick slices
  • 1 tablespoon egg white, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil, rice bran oil or canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 2 fat garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound green peppers, with at least one of them a hot pepper such as an Anaheim
  • 1/4 cup cashew pieces

Method

  • In a large bowl stir together the egg white, cornstarch, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the rice wine or sherry, salt to taste and 1 1/2 teaspoons water.
  • When you can no longer see any cornstarch add the chicken and stir together until coated.
  • Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  • Combine the remaining rice wine or sherry, the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl and set it near your wok.
  • Fill a medium-size saucepan with water and bring to a boil.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and turn the heat down so that the water is at a bare simmer.
  • Carefully add the chicken to the water, stirring so that the pieces dont clump.
  • Cook until the chicken turns opaque on the surface but is not cooked through, about 1 minute.
  • Drain in a colander set over a bowl.
  • Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan.
  • Add the remaining oil by pouring it down the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the garlic, ginger and chile and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds.
  • Add the peppers and stir-fry for 1 minute.
  • Add the chicken, cashews and hoisin sauce mixture and salt to taste.
  • Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, and serve with grains or noodles.