General Tso's chicken

General Tso's Chicken is a popular dish in American Chinese cuisine. It is named after Zuo Zongtang, a Qing dynasty statesman and military leader, often referred to as General Tso. Despite its name, the dish is not known to have any connection to Zuo Zongtang.

History

General Tso's Chicken was reportedly first introduced to the United States in the 1970s. Peng Chang-kuei, a chef from the Hunan Province, is credited with creating the dish. Peng first prepared it in Taiwan before bringing it to New York City, where it became a favorite among diners at his restaurant, Peng's.

Preparation

The dish is typically made with dark meat chicken, which is first marinated and then deep-fried. The fried chicken pieces are then sautéed in a sauce made from soy sauce, rice wine, rice vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, dried red chili peppers, and garlic. The dish is often served with broccoli and garnished with scallions.

Variations

There are many variations of General Tso's Chicken. Some versions include additional ingredients like ginger, sesame oil, and orange zest. The spiciness and sweetness of the sauce can also vary. In some regions, the dish is served with white rice, while in others, it is served with fried rice or noodles.

In popular culture

General Tso's Chicken has been featured in various forms of media, including films, television shows, and books. It was the subject of the 2014 documentary The Search for General Tso, which explored the origins and popularity of the dish in the United States.

See also

• American Chinese cuisine
• Zuo Zongtang
• Peng Chang-kuei
• The Search for General Tso

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  General Tso's Chicken served on a plate
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  Close-up of General Tso's Chicken
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  General Tso's Chicken with broccoli