SPICY CHICKEN AND PEACH STIR-FRY

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut the Thai chili in half lengthwise.
• Seed by scraping the inside of each chili half with your knife.
• Thinly slice the chili (be very careful not to touch your face or eyes while you are working with the chili; as soon as it is sliced, wash your hands and the knife carefully).
• In a medium Pyrex dish or bowl, combine the soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and chili slices.
• Add the strips of chicken and stir to coat; cover and refrigerate.
• Sift the flour into a small bowl (if using cornstarch, you don't need to sift).
• Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet set over high heat.
• When the oil is hot, add the onions; stir for 1-2 minutes, then add the chicken strips, lifting them out of the marinade with a slotted spoon.
• Saute quickly just until the chicken begins to brown and then pour in the marinade.
• Add the carrot slices and broccoli and lower the heat to med-high, covering the pan with a lid to keep liquids from evaporating.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
• Toss in the snow peas and the peach slices and their juices and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• If there doesn't seem to be much liquid in the pan, add 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce.
• Stir 3-4 tablespoons of the pan liquid into the reserved flour or cornstarch, mixing well until completely smooth.
• Add the mixture to the pan, moving the vegetables to the side with a spatula and stirring the sauce with a small wooden spoon to thicken.
• Toss in the cilantro and scallions, give everything one last good stir to mix, and heat it through.
• Sprinkle with almonds before serving.