A Five-Spice Plum Glaze makes this special chicken dish uniquely sweet and savory.
3 lb. frying chicken pieces (preferably breasts and thighs) Salt 2 Tbs. salad oil 2 Tbs. butter Scallion fans and or watercress for garnish Five Spice Plum Glaze 1 C. plum jam 1 Tbs. catsup 2 tsp. grated fresh lemon peel 1 Tbs. lemon juice 2 tsp. white vinegar Dash Tabasco 1 tsp. dry mustard 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. + 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper Freshly ground anise seed
Rinse chicken and dry well. Sprinkle generously with salt to season. Heat oil and butter together in a large frying pan; add chicken and brown quickly on all sides. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Spoon glaze over chicken. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until the chicken is tender, To make sauce, mix all ingredients well. Scallion Fan Garnish: Cut the white part of green onions into 2 inch lengths. Cut each end into very fine lengthwise strips, leaving the onion pieces uncut at the center. Drop into ice water.Yield: 4-6 servings