preparation for kung pao

Cup of Yum
1. Rinse, peel and chop 1 medium carrot in wedges or batons. Also chop 6 to 8 french beans in 2 inches pieces. Keep them in a steamer pan.
2. Steam till the carrots and french beans are almost cooked. 
3. If using a pressure cooker for steaming, then steam for 1 whistle. For steaming in a pressure cooker, add 1 to 1.5 cups water. Place the french beans and carrots in a steamer bowl or a steel bowl or pan. Do not add any water in the bowl or pan. Steam for 1 whistle on medium flame.
4. When the carrots and french beans are being steamed, slice 1 medium onion thinly. 
5. Also slice 1 inch ginger and 7 to 8 medium sized garlic thinly. Chop 1 small stem of celery. You should be able to get 2 teaspoon finely chopped celery. 
6. Then thinly slice 1 medium bell pepper (red or green or yellow). Keep aside.

making kung pao vegetables

1. Heat 2 tablespoons sesame oil in a pan. Add 10 to 12 cashews or peanuts.
2. Saute the cashews till they turn golden. Remove and keep aside.
3. Keep the flame to a low and add 4 to 5 dry red chilies. Saute till the red chilies change color. Red chilies give a smoky flavor. Avoid burning the chilies.
4. Then add the sliced onions, ginger and garlic. Stir fry on medium flame for 2 minutes.
5. Then add the sliced bell peppers (capsicum) and finely chopped celery.
6. Stir fry on medium flame for 3 minutes.
7. Next add the steamed carrots and french beans. Mix well.
8. Add 2 teaspoon soy sauce and ½ tablespoon sugar. Mix well.
9. Add salt as per taste and ½ teaspoon black pepper powder or white pepper. Mix well.
10. Add 2 cups water. Mix very well. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
11. Then add corn starch solution. To make corn starch solution, mix 2 teaspoons of corn starch with 1 tbsp water. Then add this solution to the gravy.
12. Add ½ teaspoon rice vinegar. You can also use white vinegar instead.
13. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes till the sauce thickens and then add the fried cashews. For a thicker sauce, you can add some more cornstarch.
14. Serve kung pao with veg fried rice or steamed rice. You can also have with plain steamed noodles or veg noodles.