Take some chicken…

Three Cup Chicken

1 tablespoon sesame oil

8 thin slices of fresh ginger

6 small cloves garlic

1 spring onions, coarsely chopped (white and green part separated)

500g chicken (cut into bite-sized pieces)

120ml Shaoxing Chinese rice (sherry or white wine)

4 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1 red large sweet pepper (cut into bite-sized pieces)

A handful of fresh basil

Heat the sesame oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil over medium heat.

Add ginger, garlic and spring onion (white part): Sauté about 2-3 minutes until they release their aromas.

Add the chicken to the pan and sauté until golden brown on all sides.

Add the wine and let it evaporate slightly for 2 minutes.

Add the soy sauce, sugar and white pepper. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.

Add the pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Turn off the fire, add the basil leaves and green parts of fresh onions. Stir gently until wilted.

Serve chicken hot over rice.

Chow Mein

200g dried egg noodles

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 large spring onion, sliced lengthwise (white and green parts separated)

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped

250g prawns

1 red pepper, cut into thin strips

100g broccoli boiled and cut into small pieces

1 small carrot grated on a coarse grater

4-5 tablespoons soy sauce

½ soup spoon sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Freshly ground black pepper

Roasted sesame

Boil the pasta in a saucepan with salted, boiling water for 2-3 minutes, until al dente, or boil the egg noodles according to package instructions.

Drain them and rinse them with cold water. Drain again, drizzle with a little oil and stir so that they do not stick together. Place them in the refrigerator.

In a large nonstick frying pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil. When it gets hot, add the white part of the onion and ginger and sauté for a minute.

Add the shrimp and sauté for one more minute.

Then add the red pepper, broccoli and carrot and sauté until the shrimp is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Add the noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili and freshly ground black pepper and mix well.

Serve immediately and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion.

Recipes provided by the Lidl food academy. Stasikratous 34, Nicosia 1010. https://www.lidlfoodacademy.com.cy/