Emeril's Chicken Tempura With Plum Sauce and Stir-Fried Veggies

• Chicken Tempura
• whole boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips↗2
• cornstarch↗1⁄2 cup
• large egg, beaten↗1
• very cold water (Ice cold is best)1 cup
• all-purpose flour↗1 cup
• five-spice powder1 tablespoon
• peanut oil, for frying
• Plum Sauce
• plum preserves↗1 cup
• rice wine vinegar↗4 teaspoons
• minced shallot1 tablespoon
• light brown sugar↗1 tablespoon
• minced garlic1 teaspoon
• minced fresh ginger1⁄2 teaspoon
• teaspoon red pepper flakes↗1⁄4
• pinch five-spice powder1
• Gingered Stir-Fried Vegetables
• cup soy sauce↗1⁄4
• tablespoon sesame oil↗1
• teaspoon sugar↗1
• tablespoons vegetable oil↗3
• tablespoons ginger, minced↗3
• cup sliced carrot, cut on the bias 1/41⁄2
• cups snow pea pods, stringed1 1⁄2
• cup fresh porcini mushroom (thinly sliced, stemmed)1⁄2
• cup fresh shiitake mushroom (thinly sliced, stemmed)↗1⁄2
• cup sliced green onion, cut on the bias 1/4-inch thick1⁄4

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Lightly coat the chicken strips in the cornstarch, shaking to remove any excess; set aside.

2. 2

   In a large pot or wok, preheat the oil to 360 degrees F.

3. 3

   In a bowl, beat the egg with the cold water; add the flour and 5 spice powder and mix lightly and quickly just until smooth. (Do NOT overbeat).

4. 4

   Dip the chicken into the batter, shaking to remove any excess.

5. 5

   In batches add to the hot oil and fry, turning, until golden brown on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes.

6. 6

   Remove and drain on paper towels.

7. 7

   Plum Sauce:.

8. 8

   In a saucepan, combine plum preserves, vinegar, shallots, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and 5-spice powder, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil.

9. 9

   Stir, reduce the heat and simmer until thickened and the flavors are married, 4 to 5 minutes.

10. 10

    Remove the plum sauce from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste. Let cool to room temperature.

11. 11

    Gingered Stir-Fried Vegetables:.

12. 12

    In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar, and set aside.

13. 13

    In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over high heat.

14. 14

    Add the ginger and cook, stirring, until aromatic, about 30 seconds.

15. 15

    Add the carrots and stir-fry until beginning to soften, 1 to 2 minutes.

16. 16

    Add snow pea pods and mushrooms and stir-fry until beginning to soften, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.

17. 17

    Add the green onions and soy sauce mixture and stir to coat. Cook for another 45 seconds, stirring.

18. 18

    Remove from the heat and serve with the Tempura Chicken Fingers and Plum Dipping Sauce.