General Tso's Chicken

Ingredients

While the original General Tso's Chicken is known for its bold flavors and deep-fried chicken, this Latvian adaptation focuses on incorporating local ingredients and flavors. The dish maintains its spicy and tangy profile but uses a different combination of spices and cooking techniques to suit the Latvian palate. We alse have the original recipe for General Tso's Chicken, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup (120ml) soy sauce 1/2 cup (120ml) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Latvian mustard 2 tablespoons Latvian mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish) 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish) Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 1.5g)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (Sugar: 15g)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, tomato paste, Latvian mustard, minced garlic, grated ginger, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
2. 2.
   Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use.
5. 5.
   Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch and shake off any excess.
6. 6.
   Add the coated chicken to the hot skillet and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes.
7. 7.
   Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
8. 8.
   In the same skillet, pour in the reserved marinade and bring it to a simmer.
9. 9.
   Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
10. 10.
    Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce until well coated.
11. 11.
    Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
12. 12.
    Serve the Spicy Latvian Chicken Delight hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Latvian mustard — Use a good quality Latvian mustard to add a unique flavor to the dish.
• Apple cider vinegar — Opt for unfiltered apple cider vinegar for a more robust taste.
• Soy sauce — Choose a low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer to reduce the salt content.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra heat, add more cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the sauce.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix an additional tablespoon of cornstarch with water and add it to the simmering sauce.
• Serve the Spicy Latvian Chicken Delight with a side of pickled vegetables for a traditional Latvian touch.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Latvian Chicken Delight hot with steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Spicy Latvian Chicken Delight on a platter, placing the chicken pieces on top of a bed of steamed rice or noodles. Drizzle some of the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve with a side of pickled vegetables for an authentic Latvian presentation.