New Moon Cafe Chinese Chicken Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Dip chicken pieces in eggs, then cornstarch. Heat sesame oil and 2 tbsp vegetable oil in heavy skillet. Fry chicken pieces until tender. Drain on paper towels and cool. Bone and shred. Heat oil for deep frying to 365. Fry rice sticks, small batch at a time, 1 to 2 seconds, or until puffed. Drain on paper towels. Combine chicken and rice sticks in bowl. Mix mustard with water to make paste and add hoisin and soy sauces. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add to chicken mixture. Add cilantro, green onions, sesame seeds, almonds and lettuce to chicken mixture. Toss thoroughly. Serve immediately. Makes 4 large or 6 side dish servings.

Steps:

• Make fried wontons:
• Cut wonton wrappers into 1/2-inch-wide strips and separate on paper towels.
• Heat 3/4 inch oil in a wide 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until it registers 350°F on thermometer. Fry strips, 5 or 6 at a time, gently turning over once with a slotted spoon, until just golden, 15 to 30 seconds per batch (some strips will fold and curl). Transfer to paper towels to drain, then season with salt.
• Make salad:
• Cook snow peas in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, then drain in a colander and pat dry. Cut diagonally into 1-inch-wide pieces and put in a large bowl with cabbage and romaine.
• Whisk together soy sauce, lemon juice, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then add sesame oil and vegetable oil in a slow stream, whisking until sugar is dissolved and dressing is combined well. Toss chicken and scallions with 1/3 cup of dressing in another large bowl. Whisk remaining dressing (it will separate), then add cabbage mixture, cilantro, almonds, and sesame seeds to chicken and toss with enough remaining dressing to coat. Sprinkle with wontons (if using).

Steps:

• Whisk sugar, vinegar, mustard and ginger together. Whisk in oils, and season to taste with salt, pepper and more sugar and vinegar if needed. Dressing should have a nice balance of sweet and tart.
• In a large bowl toss lettuce with a few tablespoons of dressing until lightly dressed. Arrange around sides of a large serving bowl or platter.
• Toss chicken, celery, peppers and cilantro in a bowl with dressing until well coated. Arrange in center of serving bowl, and sprinkle with pine nuts and cilantro.