Chicken, Cashews and Red Pepper Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, divided
• 2 teaspoons dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon sugar or Splenda sugar substitute
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) or garlic and red chile paste
• 1 lb chicken breast tenders, cut lengthwise into thin strips
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped unsalted cashews
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 cups julienne-cut red bell peppers (about 1 large)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (if you have it, use bottled minced garlic, watch it, if you used the garlic chile paste)
• 1/2 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

Directions

1. 1

   Combine 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and dry sherry, rice vinegar, the sugar or Splenda, & 1/2 tablespoon garlic & red chile paste (or less if you choose) in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.

2. 2

   Combine remaining 2 3/4 teaspoons cornstarch, remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and chicken in a medium bowl; toss well to coat.

3. 3

   Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

4. 4

   Add cashews to pan; cook 3 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring frequently.

5. 5

   Remove from pan.

6. 6

   Add oil to pan, swirling to coat. Add chicken mixture to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until lightly browned.

7. 7

   Remove chicken from pan; place in a bowl.

8. 8

   Add bell pepper to pan; sauté 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

9. 9

   Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds.

10. 10

    Add chicken and cornstarch mixture to pan; cook 1 minute or until sauce is slightly thick.

11. 11

    Sprinkle with cashews and green onions.

12. 12

    QUICK RICE PILAF:.

13. 13

    Cook 1 (10-ounce) package frozen white rice (such as Birds Eye SteamFresh) according to package directions. Combine cooked rice, 2 tablespoons drained chopped water chestnuts, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper & a sprinkling of chopped green onions!