Gong Bao Ji Ding (Gong Bao Chicken)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• 2 chicken thighs, deboned and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (if yours are tiny, you may want to throw in 1-2 more)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 6 tablespoons of water or stock
• 1 tablespoon chinese dark vinegar
• 2 green onions, chopped into 1-inch lengths
• 4 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon beaten egg
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 garlic cloves, skin removed, smashed and chopped
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 8 red dried chiles, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chinese cooking wine
• 6 slices of ginger
• 1 generous handful of peanuts