Question: We recently enjoyed the cashew chicken at Gee's in Springfield, Mo. I would love to get my hands on the recipe. Please?!
- Marsha Baker, Pioneer, Ohio
Answer: Tourists flock to Springfield to visit Missouri's No. 1 tourist attraction, which is also the world's greatest sporting goods store. Really, the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World has to be seen to be believed! The sportsman's Mecca boasts an indoor log cabin, a 30-foot waterfall, aquariums teeming with trophy-size game fish and a stream that winds its way through the showroom. Experts are on hand to demonstrate how to tie a fly, offer pointers on sharp-shooting techniques at the indoor firing range or assist with golf club selection at the indoor putting green.
Hong Kong's Gee Leong settled in Springfield in the 1950s, opened Gee's East Wind and has been serving Cantonese style food ever since. Savory cashew chicken, an Ozark translation of the Chinese stir-fry, is uncomplicated and teams easily with steamed rice and snow peas. Oyster flavored sauce can be found in the international section of many supermarkets or at an Asian market.
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RECIPE
CASHEW CHICKEN
Canola oil for deep frying
1 pound boneless chicken meat, diced into chunks
1/3 cup whole cashews
BATTER:
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
OYSTER SAUCE:
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oyster flavored sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
Heat oil for deep frying. Dice chicken meat and set aside. Combine milk and water in small mixing bowl. Combine flour and salt in dredging bowl. Dip chunks of meat in milk mixture, dredge in flour mixture and deep fry until golden brown, approximately 1-2 minutes. Remove from oil, drain on paper towel and place on serving platter.
Place cornstarch in small bowl and set aside. In saucepan over high heat combine chicken broth, salt, oyster flavored sauce and soy sauce and bring just to the boiling point. Reduce heat to medium-high. Stir 1/2 cup hot liquid into cornstarch. Immediately stir cornstarch mixture back into hot liquid and continue to stir until sauce begins to thicken. Makes 11/2 cups sauce.
Pour sauce over prepared chicken, sprinkle with whole cashews and serve. Serves 2 people.