Last night just before dinner time, I found myself starring in my own version of This Old F@#$%ing House, scraping layers of paint off my basement banister in the interest of my After Flood Redo; covered in dust and minuscule pieces of paint. I’m hoping it isn’t the lead kind.

That’s why it felt so fantastic to delegate cooking to my capable husband, who has a deft hand with a knife and a frying pan, but hardly ever gets enough practice.

Freshly showered and wine glass in hand, I had the pleasure of watching someone else do the cooking. It was nice. I could get used to it.

2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound boneless skinless chicken (husband likes thighs)
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sake, dry sherry or white wine
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
1 head broccoli, trimmed and sliced into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 hot chili pepper (optional)

Whisk the egg whites, 1 teaspoon cornstarch and salt in a a medium bowl.
Slice the chicken very thinly crosswise and add to the bowl, tossing to coat. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix chicken broth, soy sauce, sake, honey and remaining cornstarch; set aside.

Blanch broccoli in a pot of boiling water 2 minutes, drain.

Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Toss in the onion, garlic and chili; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken and stir until no longer pink, 3 minutes more.

Make a well in the center of chicken mixture; pour in soy mixture and bring to boil. Add the broccoli and stir everything together until evenly coated and thickened.

Serve with steamed rice.

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