Orange Chicken with Sundried Peppers

Ingredients

4 dried red chile peppers (whole)
2 Oranges
1/4 cup light molasses
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup water
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1-inch cubes)
1 teaspoon chile oil
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped ginger
2 cups white rice (cooked)
3 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

Zest one of the oranges. Be sure to remove only the colored part of the skin. Avoid the white pith unless you like a nasty bitter aftertaste in your food.

Juice the oranges and combine the OJ with the molasses, soy sauce and cornstarch in a small bowl

Heat the three cups vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until the oil hits 375°F on a deep fry thermometer.

Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Whisk in the water to form a smooth batter. Coat the chicken with it evenly.

Cook the battered chicken in thirds for four minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in the center, stirring occasionally to break up pieces with spoon.

Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon to a tray lined with paper towels.

Pour off all the oil in the wok.

Reheat the wok over medium high heat until hot; add the chili oil, orange zest, dried chili peppers, garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for about thirty seconds to a minute or until fragrant.

Stir the cornstarch mixture, and add it to the wok. Cook until sauce boils and thickens. Return c hicken to wok, and mix well. Serve over rice.