Fried Chicken with Bittergourd

Ingredients:

6 cloves of garlic (halved)

1 medium size(350-400 gm) - bittergourd, sliced thinly (2mm max)

* (Briefly soften with 1tsp salt and 1/2 tbsp sugar for 10 mins and squeeze out excess liquid)

1 whole chicken thigh, chopped into smaller pieces (about 350 gm)

*(Marinated wih 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp shaoxing wine-opt)

1 tbsp soy sauce (or to taste)

1/2 tsp - thick caramel/soy sauce

1.5 tbsp water

(mixed together)

2 tbsp - fermented/salted black beans ("Dau Si"-black ones), briefly chopped

1/2 tbsp - chopped dried orange peel(sugared)

1 tbsp - Shao Xing Wine (optional)

Preparation:

1. Season bittergourd with salt & sugar for 10 mins. Squeeze out excess juice. Do not wash the bittergourd.

2. Marinade chicken pieces with soy sauce, wine and flour.

3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in wok. Fry garlic until brown and add in orange peel and black beans. Stirfry  for 30 secs.

4. Add in bittergourd and stirfry for a while.  Push it to the side of wok and pour in the chicken on the centre of wok. (evenly and do not stir too soon)

5. Stirfry for awhile and pour in the mixed seasoning sauce, cover and allow to cook in medium-high heat for about 3 - 5 minutes (occasionally stiring it) or until cooked.

6. When its done, pour in the wine from the side of the wok, briefly stir and turn off heat quickly.

* may add in red chillies. Do not attempt to add more water to cook the bittergourd. May