Kung Pao Potatoes

By June XiePublished: 14 June 2019

If you're a big fan of sassy Kung Pao Chicken, this vegetarian version is definitely worth a try for your next weeknight dinner. We parboil the potatoes for a creamier consistency, then finish the cooking in a spicy, salty sauce for maximum flavour pay-off. Throw in some chopped red onions, bell peppers, and crunchy peanuts, and it's a vegetarian delight that's sure to please even the pickiest meat lovers in your life.

(For the omnivores and flexitarians out there, we've also given the option of using chicken stock instead of vegetable for an added layer of savouriness in the dish.)

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Yields:: 4 serving(s)
Prep Time:: 25 mins
Total Time:: 55 mins

Ingredients

Salt
900 g
Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
30 g
cornflour
1/2 tsp.
freshly ground black pepper
60 ml
vegetable oil
14
dried red chilli peppers
1 tbsp.
Szechuan peppercorns
1 tbsp.
freshly grated ginger
3
cloves garlic, chopped
3
spring onions, cut into pieces, plus more for serving
1 tbsp.
Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry
3 tbsp.
low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp.
rice vinegar
1 tbsp.
caster sugar
240 ml
low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
1 tbsp.
sesame oil
1
medium red onion, chopped
1
red bell pepper, chopped
75 g
roasted peanuts
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Directions

1. Step 1In a large pot of salted boiling water over medium-high heat, cook potatoes until just knife-tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
2. Step 2In a large bowl, combine cornflour with black pepper and a pinch of salt. Add potatoes and toss to coat evenly.
3. Step 3In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add chillies, Szechuan peppercorns, ginger, garlic, spring onions, and a pinch of salt, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Step 4Add potatoes and cook until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add cooking wine, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and stock, and continue cooking until slightly thickened, 1 minute more.
5. Step 5Add sesame oil, red onions, bell pepper, and season with salt. Cook until onions are just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
6. Step 6Fold in peanuts, then garnish with more spring onions and sesame seeds before serving.