Cashew chicken facts for kids
A plate of stir-fried cashew chicken (traditional)
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Chicken, cashews, chicken stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vegetables |
| Variations | stir-fried, deep-fried |
Cashew chicken (Chinese: 腰果雞丁) is a popular Chinese-American dish. It combines tender chicken pieces with crunchy cashews. This dish usually comes with a special sauce. The sauce can be a light brown garlic sauce or a thicker one. This thicker sauce is made from chicken stock, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
Contents
What is Traditional Cashew Chicken?
The traditional way to make cashew chicken is by stir-frying it. This means cooking it quickly in a large pan called a wok. Small pieces of chicken are cooked until tender. Then, crispy roasted cashews and fresh vegetables are added. Everything is tossed in a light sauce. This sauce is usually made with garlic, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce, thinned with water.
Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken
There is a special deep-fried version of cashew chicken. It is very famous in Springfield, Missouri. This style of cashew chicken first appeared in 1963. It was served at a place called the Grove Supper Club.
Who Created Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken?
David Leong (1920–2020) was a chef who came to the United States from China in 1940. He wanted people to enjoy Chinese food. But he found it hard for his dishes to become popular. So, he looked for a new recipe that people in Springfield would love.
How It Became Popular
Mr. Leong had a great idea. People in the area loved fried chicken. So, he decided to deep-fry the chicken pieces instead of stir-frying them. He then added the usual sauce made from chicken stock, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. He also put in a handful of cashews and some chopped green onions. This new dish was an instant hit!
It became so popular that David Leong opened his own restaurant. It was called Leong's Tea House in Springfield. The dish became known as the unofficial "dish of the city." Springfield even has a yearly festival called Cashew Craze. This festival celebrates this special chicken dish.
The Legacy of Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken
Leong's Tea House closed in 1997. But Springfield-style cashew chicken is still served everywhere. You can find it in over 70 Chinese restaurants. Many other types of restaurants in and around Springfield also serve it. The dish has even been talked about on TV and radio shows. It was even mentioned in the U.S. House of Representatives!
In 2010, David Leong's son opened a new restaurant. He served the same famous cashew chicken. David Leong passed away in 2020 at the age of 99. But his delicious invention lives on.
Similar Dishes Around the World
Other countries have dishes that are a bit like cashew chicken.
- In Thai cuisine, there is a stir-fried dish called kai pad med mamuang himmapan. It is also made with chicken and cashews.
- In Haitian cuisine, there is a chicken stew with cashews. It is called poul ak nwa. This dish is different from cashew chicken.
See also
In Spanish: Pollo con anacardo para niños
