Village Life in China - How to make the BEST Kung Pao Chicken Recipe (DELICIOUS and EASY)

Village Life in China Vlog - How to make the best Kung Pao Chicken recipe!
Full Kung Pao chicken recipe here: thefoodranger.com/kung-pao-ch...
Ingredients: thefoodranger.com/ingredients
Free Sichuan Peppercorns: www.thefoodranger.com/freesic...
The Kung Pao chicken recipe below is suitable for two adults to eat. You can order the ingredients here: thefoodranger.com/ingredients (premium quality) and get a free bag of Sichuan peppercorns as well (using coupon code “ranger”), so you don't have to worry about finding the harder to get Sichuan ingredients.
Ingredients:
These are the 5 small bowls you will end up with before frying:
1 bowl of raw peanuts, about 50 grams.
1 bowl chicken breast.
1 bowl mixed with 1 large Chinese leek (use the white/light part only) and 6-10 garlic cloves, both cut into bite-sized pieces.
1 bowl of dried large Sichuan chilies (about 10-20 depending on how spicy you like it) + one or two teaspoons red Sichuan peppercorn.
1 flavor bowl (see how to do it below in the flavoring part)
Marinade for Chicken:
1 chicken breast, about 250-300 grams, cut into cubes, chicken pieces small
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp MSG
1/3 tsp Chinese hujiaofen pepper powder
A touch of Laochou Chinese dark soy sauce for color
1 capful of Liaojiu Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
Mix this up, and then add a touch of cold water and mix until water is no longer showing on bottom of bowl, so the chicken absorbs all the water. It should feel juicy but not too wet. This is an important step in keeping the juiciness into the chicken when you fry it. Make sure it absorbs all the water. Aunt Yang likes to add an egg white instead.
After mixing water, add 2.5 teaspoons of wandoufen pea starch or potato starch or corn starch.
Add soybean oil to the bowl so it goes halfway up the chicken.
Marinate for about 10 minutes
How to make the Kung Pao Chicken sauce:
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 tsp MSG
4 tsp sugar
1/3 tsp Hujiaofen Chinese pepper powder
Xiangcu Chinese black vinegar, pour it until it just barely saturates all your sugar and then add just a little more. This is to make it slightly more sour than sweet. That's the way it's done in Sichuan.
A touch of regular Chinese soy sauce.
1/2 tsp Wandoufen pea starch or potato starch, mix until the sauce thickens a bit
Step By Step How To Make Kung Pao Chicken
1. Fry the peanuts
Heat a wok over low heat and add a generous ladle of soybean oil or vegetable oil, enough so the peanuts will be covered.
Before the oil warms up, add the raw peanuts and fry them gently. Keep it at low temperature and low heat.
You will start to see some small bubbles forming in the oil. Wait until the skins of the peanuts start to come off and the inside turns slightly yellow and golden, emitting a fragrant aroma. This should take a few minutes.
When the peanuts are slightly golden, carefully pour them out of the wok and strain any excess oil. Set aside. This step is easy to overcook so if you burn them, it's no big deal, just throw your peanuts out and try again with a new batch.
2. Fry the chicken 50%
Turn the heat to maximum and pour a large ladle of soybean oil or cooking oil into the pan, allowing it to heat until it begins to smoke.
Once it begins to smoke, remove the wok from the heat and carefully pour the hot oil back into the oil bowl.
Turn the heat OFF, and immediately return the hot wok back down and add two large ladles of oil.
The heat from the wok will instantly make the oil hot. Add marinated chicken to the wok and mix and spread around gently fry them until they are halfway cooked, which should take about 30-40 seconds.
Once the chicken is halfway cooked pour it out of the wok into a strainer and strain any excess oil back into your oil bowl. Set aside. This technique is essential for keeping the chicken nice and juicy so you can just put the chicken in near the end and finish the cooking and serve shortly after.
3. Final stiry fry.
Heat the wok over medium-high heat and add half a ladle of oil.
Add the garlic and chopped chinese leeks to the wok and fry until aromatic, You can fry until there is even a slight yellow char on the leeks.
Next, add the dried large Sichuan chilies and Sichuan peppercorns to the wok and continue to fry until aromatic. You can even wait until the chilies turn slightly yellow.
Maintain medium heat throughout this process.
Add half cooked chicken to the wok and stir-fry until completely cooked.
Then, add the prepared sauce to the wok. Before pouring it in, ensure the sauce is well mixed to prevent the sugar from sticking to the bottom of the bowl. You can also pour a little chicken and sauce from the wok into the sauce bowl to ensure all the sauce is transferred.
Here is where we increase the heat to max heat. Stir fry the chicken and sauce vigorously, usually for about 10 seconds.
Finally, add the fried peanuts to the wok, stir, toss, and serve immediately.

[@thefoodranger]

I hope you guys enjoy this Chinese village life Kung Pao Chicken recipe! You can make it easily at home, it's very delicious! To get the ingredients for this recipe, go to thefoodranger.com/ingredients to see all the Sichuan pantry packages available! Thanks so much for watching guys and I hope you're as excited for this new series as I am!

[@SeanRohit]

The goat 🐐 is back and now cooking 😊😊😊.

[@vinniekay0967]

I already posted my positive vibe & thoughts in the comments.. ;)

[@mingfanzhang8927]

😊

[@mingfanzhang4600]

❤😊

[@angiemoses130]

Howdy Trevor and Ting hope y'all are well already enjoying this new series

[@TKDJK]

I just wanted to add that K P Chicken was my father's favourite dish he cooked every week for us for 30 years until his departure. K P Chicken will always be the best for me. Thanks Dad

[@elleisme8565]

Thats beautiful. ❤

[@Vablonsky]

Trevor's enthusiasm for this new format is palpable. It's so admirable that he's found renewed energy that he can invest into this channel. And, I can tell that he's learned a lot. There was a lot of technicality in prepping the chicken, how he velveted the meat, how he regulated the temperature, his use of the oil, making the sauce, etc. This is just the beginning.

[@user-lq3mz2cf1b]

It’s wonderful to see someone chase and achieve their dream! Talk about inspirational!

[@jerrymusillo3291]

Hey Trevor! As a professional Chef and food executive for over 40 years thanks for bringing some excitement!!! You took the chance!!

[@Maexl10]

The no-cut format is great and honest! Rare for cooking channels

[@DaDooM88]

just read your comment while listening to the vid, was then actually watching the vid 5 seconds ... 7:33 ... no cut? :D I mean its not shorts-level-cut, but its cut like other normal vids as well lol

[@Sol-In-Seoul]

Yeah, it’s very difficult to do a real time video like this with few cuts. You can see there’s imperfections like shadows and things, but he’ll figure that out as he goes. I like the general vibe/idea.

[@realeques]

"Deep in the village" is his new favorite sentence 😂

[@Jame-save]

ahahahaha

[@komodo3784]

It's nice to see you cooking. Some tips: 1. Too much oil was added when marinating the chicken; 2. Marinate the chicken with corn starch. Pea starch is usually used to make cold skin（LiangPi 凉皮） and Nokdumuk（LiangFen 凉粉）; 3. When the chicken is put into the pot, wait for about 10 seconds before stir-frying so it will not stick to the pot. love from china❤

[@thefoodranger]

All the steps are straight from my laoshi at the school. Everyone has their own way but I did my best to follow his exact way :) He uses pea starch, he puts more oil too haha

[@karenk683]

@@thefoodrangersure man whatever u say

[@mrjacknharris]

@@thefoodrangerLong time fan, really thrilled that you’re back making videos. Love the new format too! Please can you tell us what is the name of the school you attended? I would love to go one day…

[@christopherkey2693]

I’m just so proud of you for getting down and doing what you love to do and achieving what you’ve been dreaming of…….GO TREVOR JAMES!

[@ry8919]

Not gonna lie I was a bit skeptical about this format but I actually love it. I love the unfiltered cooking process. Congrats Trevor!

[@frohog]

My favourite part of the vid was actually at the end when they're sat together eating both dishes with rice and chatting.

[@wiccania1764]

I came back here after 2 years and just wanted to say that I LOVE THIS content! It's just so authentic and makes me feel like cooking KP Chicken as well!! More of this type of vids please!

[@blackhawk5903]

I love her, the cooking master, i love her energy

[@AsianFoodNerd]

🔥Food Ranger - Trevor James gives us back stages VIP pass into authentic Chinese cooking. 👍

[@dmorris61]

You're on fire, Trevor. Great concept. Great approach. No better presenter. No better food.

[@TalaaboDheer]

The village life cooking is very original and has similar vibes to the beginning stages of the food ranger which also a great thing

[@SpicyMatti]

the woman comes to check what hes doing , and hes randomly saying "TOO AMAZING" :D

[@elefantspidsmus]

Respect for what you are doing here! You are quite a brave man putting your head on the table like this.

[@Ave43able]

This first cooking video was awesome. I can tell how excited you are to be doing this new chapter in your life. I look forward to many more cooking recipes in the village!

[@Luis-rk8rm]

Thank You for this amazing video... Not only the recipe but all other things surrounding you and that you share with us.

[@andrew.nicholson]

太好了! What an awesome house, it’s just perfect! I wish I could be there to smell and taste the food. You knocked it out of the park. I’m so excited for more videos in this series!

[@betosantosbica]

Oh my God! Finally! Good news!! Can't wait for you guys to come back! I gotta tell you. I'm addicted to your videos. Thank you for your amazing work!

[@garethdavies2430]

So excited. You’re teaching about marinating, the pre-cook, the velveting, the heat control. Technique… all wrapped up in a yummy recipe shared with love.

[@user-iu8zy1op8g]

Very rare that a KZbinr makes me feel their real and honest enthusiasm. Congratulations, Trevor and Ting! Love love love this realness. Makes me want to visit Chengdu also.

[@m1ghtypotat074]

These village cooking videos are so amazing. I love them

[@jerrycratsenberg989]

Lovely! Great Job! Stay with it Trevor, this idea will be just as wonderful as your travels. We are all just waiting for the next recipe! Thank you for sharing!

[@xAshlyy]

Ting Ting has only gotten even more beautiful. And such a beautiful place. What a dream life.

[@wctoronto]

Love this format. The village house is so authentic and quaint! Every Chinese household has their own slight variations and techniques for every dish, so I love that you included the lady of the house to show her version of the dish. I’ve never heard of using egg white to marinate the chicken. I will definitely try that next time! My late father used cornstarch to coat the meat for many of his Cantonese dishes to keep the juices in… probably a more common method. Looking forward to the upcoming episodes in this series! ☺️

[@zyadcarr]

Love the authenticity of this videos, keep it up! You're preserving history!

[@spriteqcx0]

This new series is making me addicted to this channel again, really invested into this. I can literally feel your passion for food rekindle.

[@frederickastarr9771]

Thank you, Trevor, for sharing how to make a Kung Pao Chicken in an authentic way, love this video I can improve the way I make Kung Pao Chicken from now on. Thank you!

[@atqsari]

You are living dream, whoever comes with the idea of deep village is just awesome.

[@andreabgc4442]

Loving this series. Your enthusiasm is contagious! Looking forward to more cooking.

[@hettel_visual]

What a perfect evolution of your career, the small village vibes are amazing! Happy you're learning more and more through cooking practice!

[@TKDJK]

Just pure magic, Trevor you have found your Nibbana. Absolutely brilliance all around. I wish I was there with you to enjoy your food. K P Chicken top top. Love the chillies

[@KompletterGeist]

You really convey your passion for the culture and food of sichuan! Really wholesome to see you living out your dream. Keep it coming man, amazing stuff!

[@sarahcaster4492]

My favorite dish! Always order from local Chinese restaurants but no comparison for certain to the authentic recipe you and your lovely neighbor prepared. Loving the village cooking vlogs! Keep it up young man. Loving it!!!

[@brettadatslyfox]

I am so happy to see this direction of the channel because the content was already amazing but you keep finding new fun ways to expand and give something you love and something that is interesting and entertaining for the viewers! Keep it up

[@padraicryan7981]

Gotta love the old school cooks. No gas, no electricity, no fancy-frills water-bath nonsense; just classic raw fire and flame. The difference it makes to the food is immeasurable. Lotsa respect to the Ayi.

[@sxoutz]

This is actually optimal for me. Super glad ure doing this series bc i love cooking and want more in depth details on how to cook sichuan food!

[@GTBD00_GuMMuG_JoJack]

This is an amazing series Trevor & Ting! Great to see you all again! Brings back memories working in a mandarin and sichuan restaurant! Many blessings! Safe travels!

[@00001111henry]

Welcome back to China 🇨🇳 ❤. Fans miss you 😘 guys. Teaching foreigners how make fresh Chinese food. They could make Chinese food at home.

[@harrisondoyle5078]

Fantastic sir! Love the new angle on your channel! Keep it up! Love it!

[@boywisard]

This is such a good series @thefoodranger. I'm loving it!

[@samnigam3451]

Kung Pao Chicken Sichuan style. I personally adore n love Chinese sea food Cantonese style. Way to go Trevor n man getting those Chinese street food vibes Bon Appétit. Ni Hao people. Hello from India 🇮🇳.

[@deep6ed]

I love the new direction of your vlogs. Great to see you chase your dream, looking forward to more of these videos.

[@BeTeLGeuZeX]

Cooking in the Village, having other places aswell, having yo girl be comfortable at your side and being part of what you like to do, and showcasing a recipe to the world! I mean talking about living the dream ! One day I hope to reach this happiness/pure bliss of living thats all shown in this one video. 😎 I didnt expect a video here so soon either. So Awesome

[@travelearth9159]

Loving the new video concept! Really enjoyed watching.

[@r1pp3dx]

This is such an awesome series, can’t wait to watch all the upcoming content

[@alegram999]

Love it Ranger! Keep going! Love the recipes....will try both!

[@lastname354]

That's a beautiful natural chicken. Anyways i really love this series so far. Shooting in the village setting is definently an amazing addition.

[@splark1198]

Great video trevor! I love this new format of yours! Stay deep in the village!

[@halnicholas3791]

Wow wow wow- beautiful video! Love the format. I love cooking 宫保鸡丁, but definitely got some pointers from your demo. Very pumped for this channel. Excellent!

[@user-hk3zq7wq5p]

I loved the video!! Thank you for letting us know where you are living and how you came to your decision to try this new endeavor. It's really exciting!!! Thank you!!

[@deathbytech666]

Awesome bro, you are the best, First commmmnt Btw❤

[@whiderboss]

I loved this video and I'm excited for more, it's a great concept and a learning experience to watch

[@eriksuvanto]

This video series is a really fun idea! Looking forward to more episodes!

[@sherry.w]

i love this video!!! the background setting is perfect, the people are perfect, the content is perfect.

[@petert7248]

Trevor. It's so good to see that you found your passion. Definitely enjoying your videos.

[@KwinDraws]

Great effort Trevor! Love the new village life videos 😁 Ting looks very happy too!

[@Michael-qw1nr]

Love this new format!

[@armanopepe1]

Loving the content Trevor. Looks delicious. Keep them coming!

[@msgypsyqueen]

You’ve travelled a long way, fellow Canadian.. Love your content!! Love your new focus.. Keep bringing it! 👍❤️🇨🇦

[@mishalobanov9744]

So beautiful nature and place! Keep it up!

[@originalhighwayman]

absolutely amazing idea, we get recipes, nice setting, your enthusiasm and review and recipe variation from locals... super!

[@paulmallett-osborne2714]

Good luck on your deep village adventure, can't wait to see you in full swing.

[@germainwilson800]

So happy for you my Canadian brother. Been a long time coming. I remember when you were just starting and asking if rating the food was a good idea. Glad everything is going well

[@sayankundu1492]

Love your enthusiasm and positiveness... Maybe I need to travel more.. ❤🎉.. I will cook these at home ..

[@sharontoney6131]

Wow. I love your new videos of the village life. The food looks delicious. 😋👍🏽☺️

[@kelvinchan1839]

Loving this new series, back to watching every video for sure

[@zohaibyousafzai6798]

Ranger is embarking on a new chapter in his KZbin journey, taking his first steps towards growth. Best wishes 😍

[@kasperpost3082]

Remember to season the wok before usage. It doesn't like it has been. That makes the wok non-stick

[@toemass1984]

Looks awesome! Loving the new direction and can't wait to see more. Keep it up.

[@24hourvideos74]

the videos and the concept is great! excited for more

[@electra424]

Great video!! There was a Sichuanese restaurant in my apartment complex when I was an exchange student in Tianjin and they had the BEST kung pao ji I've ever had. This made me miss it so much 😭

[@BillyBlastPgh]

This format is great, awesome to see the difference in recipes go head to head!! Your passion shines through here 100 percent. I am super excited to see more of these authentic recipes in the future. Going to try this Kung Pao recipe ASAP! Only have an induction wok at the moment, but it gets the job done. Looking for an outdoor gas setup currently. Best of luck on your new adventure!!

[@soosiq6715]

Made it last night. Fabulous recipe thanks Food Ranger!

[@linkn2192]

I like the new idea of cooking in the village and learning about local flavor as you go. This is a super great idea. 👍

[@BapakBuayah]

Not intending to be awkward, but happy to see you are still with Ting, she became more and more beautiful!!! Happy for you both!

[@yelloandy]

Yeah I haven’t watched Trevor in a very long time until these new videos. Wasn’t sure if they were still together until this video. Notice the giant rock on her ring 💍 finger? 😆

[@BapakBuayah]

@@yelloandy I didn't notice that, good eyes! thank you!

[@user-fiberoptics]

Truly enjoyed it. You inspired me to try something many told me to do. Thanks for sharing. Let's all celebrate life through food.

[@Super1salvador]

i love this new approach you going with...its new its different and i dont see no one else doing it like that...its fun its new and i enjoy it

[@nickfromearth]

wow definitely looking forward to this series

[@jside108]

Love to see you so happy. I enjoy the easy to follow recipes.

[@sheilarosellesnyder4657]

her smile is genuine :) love this new concept

[@hadis93]

Loved it! I wasn't sure about it at first but your new concept and the new style is great! Reminds me a lot of how Wang Gang makes videos.Also about the da cong, that's actually just a large spring onion and not a leek. Looking forward to every one of your next videos :)

[@angelrocha1785]

It's awesome you went to school for it, but learning from the locals, I believe will give you that awesome edge and even more knowledge of these dishes, I'm excited for you! Learn from those aunties

[@nisfunc4]

I love cooking and i rly love this direction so far. Gonna try this recipe. Keep it up.

[@hadis93]

Love this! I hope your new concept will be a great success!

[@studio95951]

Loving the new content. Look forward to seeing many more cooking vids. 💗💗👍👍

[@novi2000]

As someone who loves to travel and cook, I love it!! Cooking on the wok is fun with the high heat. I can't imagine the temp control challenge with a wood fired wok.

[@Bobwa2008]

I’m going to love your new cooking series. When using a wok you really need to use high heat like the lady did, you will get the hang of it pretty quickly Trevor. Both dishes looked amazing, you should do some spicy 🌶️ goat skewers.Ting looks amazing.

[@CptSnarkyPants]

Loving the new direction. You seem very happy and more natural doing this. Keep going!

[@legoshi6769]

I never knew you be back. Welcome bacl with a new video trevor.

[@ardeshirmehta9327]

Best thing you ever did! Congratulations!!! From Ottawa.

[@Gin-mz5wo]

Going full circle to master cooking the food you enjoy eating. That is awesome

[@adybarker4733]

Your food commentary skills are 10/10. It will be interesting to see your cooking skills improve throughout this series. Looking forward to seeing you master the wood fired wok later in the series, 🙂

[@BangMaster96]

There is just something therapeutic about living out in the villages, surrounded by hills and trees and lakes, just pure nature, and cooking authentic cuisine and enjoying it with family and friends. I have been living in Cities ever since i was born, i really now need to move out of the Cities and try living in the country side for some weeks and turn off the internet. Just stop worrying about all the News and Politics, and enjoy the simplicity of Life.

[@barrymirfakhraei776]

Your wife/girl friends seem very supportive. Videos are very fun! I love your kung pao recipe!

[@YanaKVideo]

Love the new series ❤

[@pulyani]

Love your efforts, good job ❤