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A Fast, Bright Chicken Stir-Fry You Haven’t Seen A Fresh, Bright Way to Stir-Fry
(35 minutes later)
Chicken in ginger-scallion sauce is to my friend Jade Zimmerman what bagels and lox are to me: the ultimate childhood comfort food.Chicken in ginger-scallion sauce is to my friend Jade Zimmerman what bagels and lox are to me: the ultimate childhood comfort food.
Jade’s mother, Lan Hing Riggin, never had a recipe. She knew the dish by smell and feel, sensing exactly when the pan was hot enough to add the chicken, or how much ginger and soy sauce would be enough to flavor the blistering oil that she then poured over the cooked meat.Jade’s mother, Lan Hing Riggin, never had a recipe. She knew the dish by smell and feel, sensing exactly when the pan was hot enough to add the chicken, or how much ginger and soy sauce would be enough to flavor the blistering oil that she then poured over the cooked meat.
Jade, who tests recipes for my cookbooks and also does food styling for NYT Cooking photos, told me about the dish while we were talking about stir-frying techniques. A common method is to quickly cook the main ingredients (meat, fish, vegetables) in a wok, then to add the sauce to the pan, letting the liquid bubble and thicken and coat everything. This is how I’d always done it.Jade, who tests recipes for my cookbooks and also does food styling for NYT Cooking photos, told me about the dish while we were talking about stir-frying techniques. A common method is to quickly cook the main ingredients (meat, fish, vegetables) in a wok, then to add the sauce to the pan, letting the liquid bubble and thicken and coat everything. This is how I’d always done it.
In Ms. Riggin’s recipe, the main ingredient is cooked separately, then the sauce — a pungent mix of hot oil, soy sauce, ginger and scallion, balanced with the tiniest pinch of sugar — is poured on top. In classic Cantonese cooking, the protein (usually chicken or a whole fish) would be steamed or poached. But Jade’s mother sometimes stir-fried the chicken, so she could use the same pan to make the sauce.In Ms. Riggin’s recipe, the main ingredient is cooked separately, then the sauce — a pungent mix of hot oil, soy sauce, ginger and scallion, balanced with the tiniest pinch of sugar — is poured on top. In classic Cantonese cooking, the protein (usually chicken or a whole fish) would be steamed or poached. But Jade’s mother sometimes stir-fried the chicken, so she could use the same pan to make the sauce.
Part of the pleasure of this dish is that, unlike in a more classic stir-fry, the flavors of the sauce and the chicken are not thoroughly intertwined. In some bites, you taste only the brawniness of the bird; in others, there’s more complexity, with the tangy sauce, crisp chicken and a garnish of raw scallions together on your tongue. Each mouthful is a little different, one more compelling than the last. It is also fast to make — under 20 minutes from start to finish.Part of the pleasure of this dish is that, unlike in a more classic stir-fry, the flavors of the sauce and the chicken are not thoroughly intertwined. In some bites, you taste only the brawniness of the bird; in others, there’s more complexity, with the tangy sauce, crisp chicken and a garnish of raw scallions together on your tongue. Each mouthful is a little different, one more compelling than the last. It is also fast to make — under 20 minutes from start to finish.
Jade’s grown-up tweak to her mother’s recipe is to add a leafy thatch of cilantro to the raw scallions on top of the chicken, which wilt when they are hit with the steaming sauce. Cilantro wasn’t something she’d ever touch as a child; she hated its aggressive flavor. But now she can appreciate the freshness and earthiness the herb brings to the mix.Jade’s grown-up tweak to her mother’s recipe is to add a leafy thatch of cilantro to the raw scallions on top of the chicken, which wilt when they are hit with the steaming sauce. Cilantro wasn’t something she’d ever touch as a child; she hated its aggressive flavor. But now she can appreciate the freshness and earthiness the herb brings to the mix.
I can relate: I feel the same way about sliced onions on my bagels and lox. It’s a slightly more adult take on a dish that still satisfies so many kinds of hunger.I can relate: I feel the same way about sliced onions on my bagels and lox. It’s a slightly more adult take on a dish that still satisfies so many kinds of hunger.
Recipe: Ginger-Scallion ChickenRecipe: Ginger-Scallion Chicken
And to drink ...And to drink ...
Riesling is often a go-to choice with Cantonese-style dishes, especially those bottles with light-to-moderate sweetness. Kabinett or spätlese rieslings from Germany are ideal. Their refreshing acidity, delicacy and modest sweetness will meld well with the lightly spicy ginger and scallions. Dry whites will also work, especially those without apparent oakiness or overbearing fruit flavors. Grüner veltliner from Austria is one option; herbal, minerally sauvignon blancs from the Loire Valley are another. How about sparkling wines, like a good cava from the Penedès region of Spain, or the various French crémants from regions like the Jura and Alsace? Many pétillant naturels would be ideal, too. Require a red? Mondeuse, an obscure grape from the Savoie region of France, would be delicious. Recently, I had an excellent version from California. ERIC ASIMOVRiesling is often a go-to choice with Cantonese-style dishes, especially those bottles with light-to-moderate sweetness. Kabinett or spätlese rieslings from Germany are ideal. Their refreshing acidity, delicacy and modest sweetness will meld well with the lightly spicy ginger and scallions. Dry whites will also work, especially those without apparent oakiness or overbearing fruit flavors. Grüner veltliner from Austria is one option; herbal, minerally sauvignon blancs from the Loire Valley are another. How about sparkling wines, like a good cava from the Penedès region of Spain, or the various French crémants from regions like the Jura and Alsace? Many pétillant naturels would be ideal, too. Require a red? Mondeuse, an obscure grape from the Savoie region of France, would be delicious. Recently, I had an excellent version from California. ERIC ASIMOV
Follow NYT Food on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.Follow NYT Food on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.