CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI STIR FRY

1 bunch broccoli
1 sweet red pepper
2 large green onions
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chicken stock, divided use
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp chili paste or hot sauce
3 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided use
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp minced ginger
1/4 cup halved cashew nuts

Cut broccoli into florets; peel and cut stalks on diagonal into 1/4-inch thick slices. Seed and cut red pepper into 1-inch squares. Halve green onions lengthwise, then cut on diagonal into 2-inch pieces. Cut chicken into 2-inch strips. Set each ingredient aside separately.

Whisk together: 1/4 cup of the chicken stock, soy sauce, cornstarch, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and chili paste; set aside.

Heat a wok or deep skillet over high heat until drop of water sprinkled on surface sizzles into steam. Pour in half of the oil and swirl wok to evenly coat side of pan; heat for 30 seconds. Add half of the chicken breasts, stir-fry by lifting and tossing chicken for 3 to 4 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Remove to plate. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil if necessary. Transfer chicken to plate.

Add remaining oil to wok. Stir-fry garlic and ginger for 10 seconds or until fragrant.

Add broccoli and red pepper; stir-fry for 1 minute.

Add onions; stir-fry for 30 seconds.

Pour in remaining 1/4 cup stock. Cover and steam for 2 minutes or until broccoli is tender-crisp, stirring once.

Return chicken to wok. Push contents of wok to side of pan. Pour soy mixture into center of wok; cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir vegetables and chicken into sauce until glazed and coated. Sprinkle with cashew nuts. Remove to a serving platter or dish and serve immediately.

VARIATION:

ORANGE-BEEF STIR-FRY:
Substitute 3/4 lb thinly sliced sirloin (steak) for chicken; stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned but still pink inside. Use beef stock instead of chicken stock. Omit oyster sauce; add 1/4 cup orange juice and 1 tablespoon orange rind. Substitute 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for cashew nuts.

TIPS:
Cut the ingredients for any stir-fry to a uniform size to ensure even cooking. You can make this stir-fry truly a last-minute cooking by preparing the ingredients in the morning and refrigerating them in separate covered bowls or airtight containers. Then, when ready to cook, set the bowls by the wok in the order of use.

Makes 4 servings
Source: Zarina Alloo; Twin Cities, USA