Takeout..at Home

Chinese takeout has gotten a bad rep.  Known for it's fatty, fried, "non-Chinese" appearances, Chinese takeout is not always viewed as the most tasty, or healthy for that matter, ethnic food.

But here's an exception. Omigoodness people, this is amazing.  In fact, both my roomie and Pat claim that this is their favorite recipe that I make.  Wait, what about this and this or THIS? O well, to each his/her own : )

Sweet and Sour Chicken
Adapted from Mel's Kitchen

2 chicken breasts
Salt And Pepper
1 cup Cornstarch
1 egg
¼ cups Canola Oil

FOR THE SAUCE:
1/2 cups Sugar
4 Tablespoons Ketchup
½ cups Vinegar (I used red wine vinegar, but you can really use whatever you have on hand)
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon Garlic Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Heat canola oil on stove top.  (Note: the first time I made this, I used olive oil, but it didn't crisp up the way it should! Therefore, I highly recommend using Canola or vegetable oil for pan frying.)

Cut chicken up into chunks.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Dip in egg wash (lightly beat egg and add a tablespoon of water).  Dredge in cornstarch.

Pan fry the chicken pieces in the oil.  Do this for 4 minutes or so; until the outside is brown and crispy but the inside is still uncooked.  Place chicken in a cooking pan.

Mix sugar, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic pepper in a bowl.

Pour over chicken. 

Cook in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.  Serve over rice (or if your roomie can't wait that long..eat it by itself!).

You can also make a double batch of this sauce and cook it in a saucepan until it is thickened.  However, this amount works for us, and we just spoon the leftovers in the pan onto the chicken! 

The sauce is right on, and you really will want to eat it with a spoon!  This stuff tastes exactly like the sweet and sour chicken from your favorite Chinese restaurant (without the questionable meat or extra calories from frying!).  It is so delicious, and since you can control the ingredients that you are using, it is much healthier (and cheaper!) than the takeout version.

Enjoy!