General Tsao's

Don't say I never shared anything great with you. All the recipes I have served up so far are fantastic but this one gets rave reviews from everyone who has experienced it, and yes I created this one myself. Some of my friends now call me The General because of this recipe and beg me to make it every time our paths cross. General Tsao's can be kinda spicy or really spicy so you can adjust the heat for your taste buds. One of my friends had to keep a towel at the table while enjoying because sweat was rolling off his head, clearly I like mine spicy. This is really a much more flexible recipe than you may initially realize. For example if you are really broke you can use super firm cubed tofu in place of the chicken. You can bake your chicken or batter and fry your chicken, you can add carrots and broccoli or nothing at all. Use your imagination throw in some things you like it will be good I promise!


Marcy's General Tsao's

water
cornstarch
3 tsp minced garlic
3 tsp ginger root
1-2 Tablespoons red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cup agave
1/2 cup soy sauce (I use Braggs liquid aminos)
1/2 cup white vinegar
3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
veggies etc are optional

First start with your chicken if you are baking it just throw it in the oven and cube it into bite size pieces after it is done. If you are frying it then go ahead and cube it into bite size pieces dip in a almond milk and egg mixture and then put in a ziploc bag of seasoned flour (I like to season mine with salt, pepper and cayenne) once all your chicken is in the bag zip it closed and shake away until it is all evenly coated. From here if you don't know what to do just leave a comment asking and I will write back to you. Honestly it just seems like a lot for me to type for something I believe you probably already know.

Lets get to the good stuff the sauce. If you are frying your chicken or adding a lot of veggies then you will want to double your sauce recipe. In a medium pot over medium heat combine soy sauce, vinegar, agave, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes (sometimes I mix that all up the night before and put it in a jar in my fridge so dinner will come together quicker). Once all of the ingredients have heated through but are not boiling take a tablespoon of cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) and dilute and stir into a small amount of cold water. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce while stirring bring the mixture up to a low boil and sauce should begin to thicken. Once the sauce begins to thicken reduce the temp to low heat.

When your chicken and veggies are cooked just combine with the sauce in a dish and enjoy. Rice obviously is a good fit for this meal as well and I have a preference for jasmine rice.


In other news I went and tanned for the first time in years today, I couldn't help it all this nasty brutally cold winter weather and lack of sun was starting to get to me and I was definitely feeling the winter blues. I do feel much better now and have regained my normal positive outlook on life. As I laid there soaking in the warmth and fake sun I couldn't help but think about how important it is for us to also bask in the warmth and radiance of God our Lord. To draw near to his warmth and love through prayer, meditation, reading and living a life of servitude to Him. After all he did create the sun.

I haven't worked out today and honestly I don't think I will before bed. Work comes early in the morning so I think I am going to prepare for bed and turn in earlier than normal instead. I guess I did play a little bit of living room hockey with a little one earlier today, that counts right?