Sweet and sour chicken

Ingredients

For the chicken

• ½ small pineapple
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 4 spring onions, trimmed and finely diagonally sliced

For the sauce

• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 300ml/10fl oz fresh pineapple juice
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 25g/1oz piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp soft light brown sugar
• 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 pinch dried chilli flakes
• freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. To make the sauce, put the cornflour in a small bowl and stir in two tablespoons of the pineapple juice until smooth. Put the remaining pineapple juice in a separate bowl and stir in the garlic, ginger, soy, vinegar, sugar, ketchup and chilli flakes until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

2. Put the pineapple on a board and cut off the skin. Quarter lengthways and remove the tough central core. Cut the pineapple into thick slices and set aside. Cut each chicken breast into 7-9 even pieces (depending on size).

3. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok and stir-fry the onion and peppers for three minutes over a high heat. Coat the chicken in the cornflour and add to the pan. Stir-fry for four minutes until very lightly coloured on all sides.

4. Add the pineapple and sweet and sour sauce to the pan with the chicken and bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly until the chicken is cooked through and the pineapple is hot.

5. Stir in the cornflour and pineapple solution mixture and cook for 30-60 seconds until the sauce is thickened and glossy, turning the chicken and vegetables until nicely coated. Sprinkle with sliced spring onions and serve hot.