Sweet-sour chicken

Serves 4

Ingredients;

• 2 small carrots, very thinly sliced
• 1 small green pepper, de-seeded & cut into small strips
• 4 level teaspoons finely-chopped canned pineapple
• 6 spring onions or shallots, chopped
• 4 tablespoons syrup from can of pineapple
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 level tablespoon  clear honey
• 1 oz (25gm / 1 teaspoon) brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 level tablespoons cornflour
• 1/2 pint (250ml – 1  cup) chicken stock
• salt & pepper
• 1 oz (25gm) flaked blanched(white) almonds
• 1oz (25gm – 1/2 teaspoon) butter
• 1 freshly-roasted chicken (1 + 1/2 kilo)

Method;

1. put carrots into saucepan with green peper, pineapple & spring onions
2. Stir in pineapple syrup, soy sauce, honey, sugar and vinegar
3. Slowly bring to boil and simmer for 5 mins
4. Meanwhile, blend cornflower to a smooth cream with the chicken stock
5. Add to saucepan and cook, storing until sauce comes to the boil and thickens. Season with salt & pepper. Add almonds and butter. Leave over very low heat.
6. Quickly cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and put into a warm serving dish
7. Coat with sweet-sour sauce and serve straight away with freshly boiled rice or noodles