Black Bean Chicken

As a kid, I hated black beans in my food.
But lately, I decided to buy a package of black beans to give black beans another chance, and now I am in love!

What is "black beans" anyways?
It is also called Chinese fermented black beans, and is a flavoring most popular in Chinese cuisine. It is made by fermentingand salting soybeans. The process turns the beans black, soft, and mostly dry. The flavor is sharp, pungent, and spicy in smell, with a taste that is salty and somewhat bitter and sweet.

Please note, this recipe uses actual black beans that I got from Chinatown. Not to be confused with the "black bean sauce" cheaters use. =P
Real chefs use the actual black beans...

Even Wikipedia says so! :
"In Chinese cuisine, a condiment called black bean paste or black bean garlic sauce (蒜蓉豆豉酱) is made from douchi, as well as garlic and soy sauce, a typical combination used for seasoning a dish. This paste is commercially available in glass jars from companies such as Lee Kum Kee, although most Chinese restaurant chefs prefer to use actual douchi to prepare such sauces rather than using commercially available black bean paste."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douchi


Black Bean Chicken

Ingredients:
- 8 chicken drumsticks, or about 1 pound of your favorite chicken meat
- 3 tbsp of black beans
- 1 tsp of oyster sauce
- 1 tsp of soy sauce
- 1/4 medium onion, chopped
- pinch of salt and pepper
- optional ingredient: green bell peppers
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- sprinkle of water

Instructions:
1. De-fat and de-skin your chicken meat. Didn't I do a great job? :) (save the bones in your freezer. Make broth later).















2. Chop the onion and any other veggie you decide to toss in.

3. Run your knife through the black beans. You can also smash the black beans with the side of your knife.















4. Add oil to the skillet, and toss the onions and garlic until golden.















5. Add the chicken to the pan, and toss until the chicken is cooked on the outside















6. Add the salt and pepper to the chicken.

7. Add the sauces and black beans to the pan. Stir until it is evenly mixed.














8. Add a sprinkle of water, turn the heat down to medium-high, and cover. Let simmer for about 8-10 minutes or until the meat is thoroughly cooked.















this recipe goes great with fish too!