INGREDIENTS:

To prepare Jiao Yan ( Chinese salt and pepper)

• 2 tbsp sichuan peppers

• 1 tbsp white pepper

• 2 tbsp  salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Dry roast the sichuan peppers and the white peppers until aromatic. Stir continuously. 

• Cool and dry grind it to powder form

• Mix in the salt 

• It’s ready

• Store in airtight container and use sprinkled  over potato wedges, congee, soups , Barbeque etc

INGREDIENTS FOR POPCORN CHICKEN

• 500 gms chicken breast ( cut into bite sized pieces)

• 1tbsp soya sauce 

• 1tsp jiao yan powder

• 1tsp Chinese 5 spice powder 

• ¼ tsp onion powder

• 2-3 cloves of garlic grated

• 1tsp ginger grated

• 1-2 tbsp of Chinese cooking wine ( you can substitute with Japanese mirin or orange juice )

• 1cup sweet potato starch ( you can use corn starch) 

• Salt to taste ( if needed)

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Marinate the chicken pieces with soya sauce, jiao yan , 5 spice powder, grated ginger and garlic, onion powder and cooking wine

• Add the egg and little sweet potato flour 

• Mix well to coat the marinade onto the chicken pieces well

• Set aside for 15-20 mins 

• Now take another bowl and add the remaining sweet potato starch 

• Add few pieces of chicken into the starch and toss it a few times to coat well

• Continue process with all the pieces of chicken

• Rest the coated pieces of chicken for 10-15 mins

• Meanwhile heat oil for deep frying ( 350F)

• Add chicken pieces .. few at a time ( do not overcrowd the pan)