Cashew Chicken - The Local Palate

Ingredients

• ½ pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups canola oil or peanut oil
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 1 small carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 4 ounces (drained) canned whole water chestnuts or peeled jicama, diced
• 2 ounces (drained) canned whole straw mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon minced rehydrated garlic (or 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 cup whole roasted cashews
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Pinch of MSG