Chicken with Black Bean Sauce and Vegetables

 

Ingredients:

Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

Vegetables:

1/2 cup dried Chinese black mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced

1 medium carrot, sliced

1/2 cup button mushrooms, sliced

1/2 green bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 medium onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 inch ginger, grated

Black Bean Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons fermented black beans, rinsed and roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or Shaoxing wine
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• Other:
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the chicken: Combine chicken cubes with cornstarch, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Marinate for 15-20 minutes.
2. Prepare the sauce: Combine chopped black beans, soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, sugar, and chicken broth in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry in batches until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
4. Cook the vegetables: Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add onions, garlic, and ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the carrots, black mushrooms, button mushrooms, and green pepper. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables start to soften.
5. Combine and finish: Return the chicken to the pan. Stir the black bean sauce and pour over the chicken and vegetables. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is coated.
6. Serve: Garnish with sliced scallions (if using) and serve immediately over steamed rice.

Tips:

• For spicier dish, add a pinch of chilli flakes or a chopped chilli pepper with the veggies.
• Experiment with other vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or baby corn.
• If you don't have fermented black beans, substitute with 2 tablespoons store-bought black bean sauce.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: approximately 350
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 15g
• Carbs: 20g

This dish provides a good balance of protein, fibre, and healthy fats. It's a source of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, and fermented black beans offer gut-healthy probiotics.