Chicken Stir Fry, Rice and Edamame

Surprise!  The Kids Can Cook!

The other day I came downstairs a little late to find Mia (7) had fried her brother an egg and arranged it on a plate with some fresh blueberries and dried cranberries (his favorite).  Her unappreciative brother was mad because he wanted to fry it himself!  My best friend thinks all kids under the age of 12 should at least be able to make a grilled cheese:)
Tonight:  Teach the kids to use chopsticks!

CHICKEN STIR-FRY:   Make sure pan is hot!

1. Drop some vegetable oil in the pan and cook 1/2 an onion for 5 minutes.  Add the (4-6) cut-up chicken breasts and a little soy sauce until cooked through and then set aside.   Stir-fry fresh (or frozen) vegetables (whatever you have, I like broccoli, red pepper, baby carrots, baby corn, asparagus, water chestnuts) for a few minutes.
2. Stir in Special Sauce:  Use any of the  ‘House of Tsang’ Stir-Fry Sauces or make your own:  Combine 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 4 TBS of soy sauce, 2 TBS of cornstarch, and 2 tsp of brown sugar,
   sprinkle garlic and ginger powder to taste.  Cover veggies to cook through.
3. Add chicken and stir together.
   If you made the sauce from scratch, you should clear a space and pour the sauce into the center of the pan first to let it get thick before you mix it all together.  You also need a final hit of soy sauce before serving.

Rice:  Cook brown or white rice (10 mins.)

Edamame:  Microwave frozen edamame in a bowl with a little water and sea salt for 2 minutes.  Drain and serve.

What can the kids help with?

• My daughter made up a game to point out which broccoli spears needed to be cut.  She pointed and called out “long-neck!” and I cut that piece of broccoli
• Measure and whisk the stir-fry sauce and pour it in the pan
• Learn how to use can opener to open the baby corn/water chestnuts
• Measure water and help cook the rice
• Set/clear the table
• Chinese Coloring Pages:  http://www.childbook.com/Chinese-New-Year-Greetings-Coloring-Pages-Pictures-s/212.htm

Did you know?

• Chinese chopsticks are usually made of unfinished wood and are 1 1/2 inches longer than Japanese chopsticks which are usually made of lacquered wood (or bamboo)
• People in China were the first to drink tea
• There are nearly 3 x’s the number of chinese restaurants than there are McDonalds franchises