Soupy Chicken with Mushrooms

• MAKE-AHEAD

Chicken

1. 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine, dry white wine or dry sherry
2. 1 teaspoon cornstarch
3. 1/2 egg white
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
5. 6 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/4 -inch dice

Stir-Fry

1. 6 dried black or shiitake mushrooms
2. 3 cups hot water
3. 2 tablespoons soy sauce
4. 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine, dry white wine or dry white wine
5. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
6. 1/2 teaspoon salt
7. 2 tablespoons peanut oil
8. 1 tablespoon minced garlic
9. 1/4 pound white mushrooms, quartered
10. 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice
11. 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
12. 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water
13. Freshly ground black or white pepper

1. In a medium bowl, combine the wine, cornstarch, egg white and salt. Add the chicken and turn to coat thoroughly. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, cover the dried mushrooms with 1 cup of the hot water and let soak until softened, about 30 minutes. Discard the mushroom stems and quarter the caps; reserve the soaking liquid.
3. In another bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups of hot water with the soy sauce, wine, sugar and salt.
4. Set a large wok over high heat. Add the peanut oil and when it is very hot, add the chicken and stir-fry until it turns opaque, about 30 seconds. Transfer the chicken to a plate with a slotted spoon.
5. Add the garlic to the wok and stir-fry for 25 seconds, then add the fresh mushrooms and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the dried mushrooms, the green pepper and the chicken and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Pour in the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, stopping when you reach the grit at the bottom. Add the soy sauce mixture and bring to a boil, then add the sesame oil and the cornstarch mixture and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Transfer to a serving bowl, season with pepper and serve immediately.