Asparagus and Chicken in Black Bean Sauce

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

12 Sep 2006 03:35 PM

For this recipe, you will need 2 chicken thighs, 12 medium asparagus spears, peanut or corn oil (your preference), dry cooking sherry, cornstarch, soy sauce, sugar, fermented black beans (also referred to as Chinese black beans or salted black beans), cloves of garlic, brown sugar, black soy sauce, and chicken stock.

To prep for this recipe, mince up three garlic cloves. Wash the asparagus spears. Peel the tough white outer layer off the ends then slice the spears diagonally in 2 1/2 inch pieces.

To make the marinade, combine 1 tablespoon of dry cooking sherry, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Mix well. With a paring knife, scrap the chicken meat off the thigh. Slice it into thin strips. Place the chicken strips in the bowl of marinade and massage the meat with it. Allow the chicken to marinate between 15 and 20 minutes.

Rinse the fermented black beans. Pour 2 teaspoons of the black beans in a medium sized bowl then mash them. Add three cloves of minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of black soy sauce, and 3/4 cup of chicken stock. Stir well.

Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a wok set on 375 degrees. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken strips. Stir fry the chicken strips for about 3 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink. Remove the chicken strips from the wok and set aside.

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok, then add the black bean sauce. Stir fry the sauce for one minute. Add the asparagus pieces, making sure they are coated with the black bean sauce. Once the sauce begins to boil, add the chicken strips again and toss to combine all the ingredients.

If you need to thicken the sauce a bit, you can combine a little cornstarch with water to make a paste and add that to the wok. Once the sauce is reduced to a glaze and the asparagus begins to brighten, the dish is ready.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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