Pepper Salt Basil Chicken - 九层塔椒盐鸡

Had you heard or saw or used Basil Leaves in cooking before? There are more than 12 varieties of Basil that are cultivated for culinary use. Sweet basil (Ocimum Basilicum) and Bush basil (O. minimum) which both are annuals, at least in cool climates, both have a delicious peppery flavor invaluable in cooking. In this recipe we are using Dried Basil Leave and some Sichuan Pepper Salt(花椒盐) which is a mixture of salt and Sichuan pepper, roasted and browned in a wok and served as a condiment to accompany chicken, duck and pork dishes. It can be found in most supermarket in the herbs and spices department.


This Pepper Salt Basil Chicken is very fragrant and appetizing dish as by the mixture of dried basil leave and sichuan pepper salt. It those sort of food that you will keep popping into your mouth. Thanks Angie for sharing this wonderful dish.

Ingredients:
1/2 Chicken Breast, cut into strips
2 Tablespoon Sweet Potato Flour
1 Tablespoon Cornflour

Marinade:
3 Cloves Garlic, smash abit
1 Teaspoon Light Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon Cooking Wine
1/2 Teaspoon Sesame Oil
A Few Dash Of White Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon cinnamon Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Five Spice Powder
Dash Of Salt

Methods:
1. Wash and cut the chicken breast into 2cm wide strips then add in the marinade and marinate for at least 30 minutes or more.
2. Coat the chicken strips with the mixture of sweet potato and cornflour and set aside for about 5 minutes before deep-frying.(this helps the meat to absorb the flour before frying)
3. Divide the chicken strips into two batches and deep-fry in medium heat until golden and crisp. Drain and set aside.
4. When completed the 2nd batch of chicken strips, switch to high heat and blanch all the chicken strips in hot oil for a few seconds in order to make it more crisp before severing.
5. Preheat a pan with 1/2 tablespoon of oil and statue the grated garlic in the seasoning until fragrant then add in the deep-fried chicken strips.
6. Stir for a few second then add in the seasoning powder mixture and stir till almost all pieces of chicken strips are coated with seasoning.
7. Sprinkler extra dried basil leaves if you prefer and serve hot.

Seasoning:
2 Cloves Garlic, finely grated
1 Teaspoon Sichuan Pepper Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
1 Teaspoon Dried Basil Leaves

Methods:
1. Mix all the seasoning ingredients together except the garlic and stir till well combine. Set aside for later use.