Appetisers

Appetisers should be simple and light in order to whet the appetite for the dishes to follow. Many Chinese dishes fit this description admirably and are also quick and simple to prepare. If you particularly like some of the dishes, you may choose to make a slightly larger quantity and serve them as part of your main meal. There is no strict distinction in Chinese cooking.

Marinated Abalone

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb canned abalone

45 ml/3 tbsp soy sauce

30 ml/2 tbsp wine vinegar

5 ml/1 tsp sugar

few drops of sesame oil

Drain the abalone and slice it thinly or cut it into strips. Mix together the remaining ingredients, pour over the abalone and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Braised Bamboo Shoots

Serves 4

60 ml/4 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil

225 g/8 oz bamboo shoots, cut into strips

60 ml/4 tbsp chicken stock

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

5 ml/1 tsp sugar

5 ml/1 tsp rice wine or dry sherry

Heat the oil and stir-fry the bamboo shoots for 3 minutes. Mix the stock, soy sauce, sugar and wine or sherry and add it to the pan. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Leave to cool and chill before serving.

Chicken with Cucumber

Serves 4

1 cucumber, peeled and seeded

225 g/8 oz cooked chicken, torn into shreds

5 ml/1 tsp mustard powder

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp salt

30 ml/2 tbsp wine vinegar

Cut the cucumber into strips and arrange on a flat serving plate. Arrange the chicken on top. Mix together the mustard, salt and wine vinegar and spoon over the chicken just before serving.

Chicken Sesame

Serves 4

350 g/12 oz cooked chicken

120 ml/4 fl oz/¬Ω cup water

5 ml/1 tsp mustard powder

15 ml/1 tbsp sesame seeds

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp salt

pinch of sugar

45 ml/3 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

5 spring onions (scallions), chopped

¬Ω head lettuce, shredded

Tear the chicken into fine shreds. Mix just enough water into the mustard to make a smooth paste and stir it into the chicken. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan until lightly golden then add them to the chicken and sprinkle with salt and sugar. Add half the parsley and the spring onions and toss together thoroughly. Arrange the lettuce on a serving plate, top with the chicken mixture and garnish with the remaining parsley.

Lychees with Ginger

Serves 4

1 large watermelon, halved and seeded

450 g/1 lb canned lychees, drained

5 cm/2 in stem ginger, sliced

few mint leaves

Fill the melon halves with lychees and ginger, decorate with mint leaves. Chill before serving.

Red-Cooked Chicken Wings

Serves 4

8 chicken wings

2 spring onions (scallions), chopped

75 ml/5 tbsp soy sauce

120 ml/4 fl oz/¬Ω cup water

30 ml/2 tbsp brown sugar

Cut off and discard the bony tips of the chicken wings and cut them in half. Place in a pan with the remaining ingredients, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to simmer for a further 15 minutes, basting frequently. Leave to cool then chill before serving.

Crab Meat with Cucumber

Serves 4

100 g/4 oz crab meat, flaked

2 cucumbers, peeled and shredded

1 slice ginger root, minced

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

30 ml/2 tbsp wine vinegar

5 ml/1 tsp sugar

few drops of sesame oil

Place the crab meat and cucumbers in a bowl. Mix together the remaining ingredients, pour over the crab meat mixture and toss together well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Marinated Mushrooms

Serves 4

225 g/8 oz button mushrooms

30 ml/2 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

pinch of salt

few drops of tabasco sauce

few drops of sesame oil

Blanch the mushrooms in boiling water for 2 minutes then drain and pat dry. Place in a bowl and pour over the remaining ingredients. Toss together well and chill before serving.

Marinated Garlic Mushrooms

Serves 4

225 g/8 oz button mushrooms

3 cloves garlic, crushed

30 ml/2 tbsp soy sauce

30 ml/2 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

15 ml/1 tbsp sesame oil

pinch of salt

Place the mushrooms and garlic in a colander, pour over boiling water and leave to stand for 3 minutes. Drain and pat dry thoroughly. Mix together the remaining ingredients, pour the marinade over the mushrooms and leave to marinate for 1 hour.

Prawns and Cauliflower

Serves 4

225 g/8 oz cauliflower florets

100 g/ 4 oz peeled prawns

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

5 ml/1 tsp sesame oil

Part boil the cauliflower for about 5 minutes until tender but still crunchy. Mix with the prawns, sprinkle with soy sauce and sesame oil and toss together. Chill before serving.

Sesame Ham Sticks

Serves 4

225 g/8 oz ham, cut into strips

10 ml/2 tsp soy sauce

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp sesame oil

Arrange the ham on a serving plate. Mix the soy sauce and sesame oil, sprinkle over the ham and serve.

Cold Tofu

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb tofu, sliced

45 ml/3 tbsp soy sauce

45 ml/3 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil

freshly ground pepper

Place the tofu, a few slices at a time, in a sieve and plunge into boiling water for 40 seconds then drain and arrange on a serving plate. Leave to cool. Mix together the soy sauce and oil, sprinkle over the tofu and serve sprinkled with pepper.

Chicken with Bacon

Serves 4

225 g/8 oz chicken, very thinly sliced

75 ml/5 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

1 clove garlic, crushed

15 ml/1 tbsp brown sugar

5 ml/1 tsp salt

5 ml/1 tsp minced ginger root

225 g/8 oz lean bacon, cubed

100 g/4 oz water chestnuts, very thinly sliced

30 ml/2 tbsp honey

Place the chicken in a bowl. Mix 45 ml/3 tbsp of soy sauce with the wine or sherry, garlic, sugar, salt and ginger, pour over the chicken and marinate for about 3 hours. Thread the chicken, bacon and chestnuts on to kebab skewers. Mix the remaining soy sauce with the honey and brush over the kebabs. Grill (broil) under a hot grill for about 10 minutes until cooked, turning frequently and brushing with more glaze as they cook.

Chicken and Banana Fries

Serves 4

2 cooked chicken breasts

2 firm bananas

6 slices bread

4 eggs

120 ml/4 fl oz/¬Ω cup milk

50 g/2 oz/¬Ω cup plain (all-purpose) flour

225 g/8 oz/4 cups fresh breadcrumbs

oil for deep-frying

Cut the chicken into 24 pieces. Peel the bananas and cut lengthways into quarters. Cut each quarter into thirds to give 24 pieces. Cut the crusts off the bread and cut it into quarters. Beat the eggs and milk and brush over one side of the bread. Place one piece of chicken and one piece of banana on the egg-coated side of each piece of bread. Coat the squares lightly in flour then dip in egg and coat with breadcrumbs. Dip again into the egg and breadcrumbs. Heat the oil and fry a few squares at a time until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper before serving.

Chicken with Ginger and Mushrooms

Serves 4

225 g/8 oz chicken breast fillets

5 ml/1 tsp five-spice powder

15 ml/1 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour

120 ml/4 fl oz/¬Ω cup groundnut (peanut) oil

4 shallots, halved

1 clove garlic, sliced

1 slice ginger root, chopped

25 g/1 oz/¼ cup cashew nuts

5 ml/1 tsp honey

15 ml/1 tbsp rice flour

75 ml/5 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

100 g/4 oz mushrooms, quartered

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp turmeric

6 yellow chilli peppers, halved

5 ml/1 tsp soy sauce

juice of ¬Ω lime

salt and pepper

4 crisp lettuce leaves

Cut the chicken breast diagonally across the grain into fine strips. Sprinkle with five-spice powder and coat lightly with flour. Heat 15 ml/1 tbsp oil and stir-fry the chicken until golden brown. Remove from the pan. Heat a little more oil and stir-fry the shallots, garlic, ginger and cashew nuts for 1 minute. Add the honey and stir round until the vegetables are coated. Sprinkle with flour then stir in the wine or sherry. Add the mushrooms, turmeric and chilli peppers and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken, soy sauce, half the lime juice, salt and pepper and heat through. Remove from the pan and keep warm. Heat a little more oil, add the lettuce leaves and fry quickly, seasoning with salt and pepper and the remaining lime juice. Arrange the lettuce leaves on a warmed serving dish, spread the meat and vegetables on top and serve.

Chicken and Ham

Serves 4

225 g/8 oz chicken, very thinly sliced

75 ml/5 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

15 ml/1 tbsp brown sugar

5 ml/1 tsp minced ginger root

1 clove garlic, crushed

225 g/8 oz cooked ham, cubed

30 ml/2 tbsp honey

Place the chicken in a bowl with 45 ml/3 tbsp of soy sauce, the wine or sherry, sugar, ginger and garlic. Leave to marinate for 3 hours. Thread the chicken and ham on to kebab skewers. Mix the remaining soy sauce with the honey and brush over the kebabs. Grill (broil) under a hot grill for about 10 minutes, turning frequently and brushing with the glaze as they cook.

Grilled Chicken Livers

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb chicken livers

45 ml/3 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

15 ml/1 tbsp brown sugar

5 ml/1 tsp salt

5 ml/1 tsp minced ginger root

1 clove garlic, crushed

Parboil the chicken livers in boiling water for 2 minutes then drain well. Place in a bowl with all the remaining ingredients except the oil and marinate for about 3 hours. Thread the chicken livers on to kebab skewers and grill (broil) under a hot grill for about 8 minutes until golden brown.

Crab Balls with Water Chestnuts

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb crab meat, minced

100 g/4 oz water chestnuts, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 cm/¬Ω in slice ginger root, minced

45 ml/3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

30 ml/2 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

5 ml/1 tsp salt

5 ml/1 tsp sugar

3 eggs, beaten

oil for deep-frying

Mix together all the ingredients except the oil and shape into small balls. Heat the oil and deep-fry the crab balls until golden brown. Drain well before serving.

Dim Sum

Serves 4

100 g/4 oz peeled prawns, chopped

225 g/8 oz lean pork, finely chopped

50 g/2 oz Chinese cabbage, finely chopped

3 spring onions (scallions), chopped

1 egg, beaten

30 ml/2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

10 ml/2 tsp soy sauce

5 ml/1 tsp sesame oil

5 ml/1 tsp oyster sauce

24 wonton skins

oil for deep-frying

Mix together the prawns, pork, cabbage and spring onions. Mix in the egg, cornflour, soy sauce, sesame oil and oyster sauce. Place spoonfuls of the mixture on to the centre of each wonton skin. Gently press the wrappers around the filling, tucking the edges together but leaving the tops open. Heat the oil and fry the dim sums a few at a time until golden brown. Drain well and serve hot.

Ham and Chicken Rolls

Serves 4

2 chicken breasts

1 clove garlic, crushed

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp salt

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp five-spice powder

4 slices cooked ham

1 egg, beaten

30 ml/2 tbsp milk

25 g/1 oz/¼ cup plain (all-purpose) flour

4 egg roll skins

oil for deep-frying

Slice the chicken breasts in half. Pound them until very thin. Mix the garlic, salt and five-spice powder and sprinkle over the chicken. Place a slice of ham on top of each piece of chicken and roll them up tightly. Mix the egg and milk. Coat the chicken pieces lightly with flour then dip in the egg mixture. Place each piece on an egg roll skin and brush the edges with beaten egg. Fold in the sides then roll together, pinching the edges to seal. Heat the oil and fry the rolls for about 5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper then cut into thick diagonal slices to serve.

Baked Ham Turnovers

Serves 4

350 g/12 oz/3 cups plain (all-purpose) flour

175 g/6 oz/¾ cup butter

120 ml/4 fl oz/¬Ω cup water

225 g/8 oz ham, chopped

100 g/4 oz bamboo shoots, chopped

2 spring onions (scallions), chopped

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

30 ml/2 tbsp sesame seeds

Place the flour in a bowl and rub in the butter. Mix in the water to form a dough. Roll out the dough and cut into 5 cm/2 in circles. Mix together all the remaining ingredients except the sesame seeds and place a spoonful on each circle. Brush the edges of the pastry with water and seal together. Brush the outsides with water and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4 for 30 minutes.

Pseudo Smoked Fish

Serves 4

1 sea bass

3 slices ginger root, sliced

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 spring onion (scallion), thickly sliced

75 ml/5 tbsp soy sauce

30 ml/2 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp ground anise

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp sesame oil

10 ml/2 tsp sugar

120 ml/4 fl oz/¬Ω cup stock

oil for deep-frying

5 ml/1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)

Trim the fish and cut it into 5 mm (¼ in) slices against the grain. Mix together the ginger, garlic, spring onion, 60 ml/4 tbsp of soy sauce, the sherry, anise and sesame oil. Pour over the fish and toss gently. Leave to stand for 2 hours, turning occasionally.

Drain the marinade into a pan and pat the fish dry on kitchen paper. Add the sugar, stock and remaining soy sauce to the marinade, bring to the boil and simmer for 1 minute. If the sauce needs to be thickened, mix the cornflour with a little cold water, stir it into the sauce and simmer, stirring, until the sauce thickens.

Meanwhile, heat the oil and deep-fry the fish until golden brown. Drain well. Dip the pieces of fish in the marinade then arrange them on a warmed serving plate. Serve hot or cold.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Serves 4

12 large dried mushroom caps

225 g/8 oz crab meat

3 water chestnuts, minced

2 spring onions (scallions), finely chopped

1 egg white

15 ml/1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

Soak the mushrooms in warm water overnight. Squeeze dry. Mix together the remaining ingredients and use to fill the mushroom caps. Arrange on a steamer rack and steam for 40 minutes. Serve hot.

Oyster Sauce Mushrooms

Serves 4

10 dried Chinese mushrooms

250 ml/8 fl oz/1 cup beef stock

15 ml/1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

30 ml/2 tbsp oyster sauce

5 ml/1 tsp rice wine or dry sherry

Soak the mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes then drain, reserving 250 ml/8 fl oz/1 cup of soaking liquid. Discard the stalks. Mix 60 ml/4 tbsp of the beef stock with the cornflour to a paste. Bring the remaining beef stock to the boil with the mushrooms and mushroom liquid, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the liquid with a slotted spoon and arrange on a warm serving plate. Add the oyster sauce and sherry to the pan and simmer, stirring for 2 minutes. Stir in the cornflour paste and simmer, stir until the sauce thickens. Pour over the mushrooms and serve at once.

Pork and Lettuce Rolls

Serves 4

4 dried Chinese mushrooms

15 ml/1 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil

225 g/8 oz lean pork, chopped

100 g/4 oz bamboo shoots, chopped

100 g/4 oz water chestnuts, chopped

4 spring onions (scallions), chopped

175 g/6 oz crab meat, flaked

30 ml/2 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

10 ml/2 tsp oyster sauce

10 ml/2 tsp sesame oil

9 Chinese leaves

Soak the mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes then drain. Discard the stalks and chop the caps. Heat the oil and stir-fry the pork for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, spring onions and crab meat and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Mix the wine or sherry, soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil and stir it into the pan. Remove from the heat. Meanwhile, blanch the Chinese leaves in boiling water for 1 minute then drain. Place spoonfuls of the pork mixture on the centre of each leaf, fold over the sides then roll up to serve.

Pork and Chestnut Meatballs

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb minced (ground) pork

50 g/2 oz mushrooms, finely chopped

50 g/2 oz water chestnuts, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 egg, beaten

30 ml/2 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

5 ml/1 tsp minced ginger root

5 ml/1 tsp sugar

salt

30 ml/2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

oil for deep-frying

Mix together all the ingredients except the cornflour and shape the mixture into small balls. Roll in the cornflour. Heat the oil and deep-fry the meatballs for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Drain well before serving.

Pork Dumplings

Serves 4–6

450 g/1 lb plain (all-purpose) flour

500 ml/17 fl oz/2 cups water

450 g/1 lb cooked pork, minced

225 g/8 oz peeled prawns, chopped

4 stalks celery, chopped

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

15 ml/1 tbsp sesame oil

5 ml/1 tsp salt

2 spring onions (scallions), finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 slice ginger root, minced

Mix together the flour and water to a soft dough and knead well. Cover and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Roll out the dough as thinly as possible and cut into 5 cm/2 in circles. Mix together all the remaining ingredients. Place spoonfuls of the mixture on each circle, dampen the edges and seal into a semi-circle. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil then gently place the dumplings in the water. When the dumplings rise to the top add 150 ml/¼pt/¾ cup cold water then return the water to the boil. When the dumplings rise again, they are cooked.

Pork and Veal Rissoles

Serves 4

100 g/4 oz minced (ground) pork

100 g/4 oz minced (ground) veal

1 slice streaky bacon, minced (ground)

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

salt and pepper

1 egg, beaten

30 ml/2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

oil for deep-frying

Mix together the minced meats and bacon and season with salt and pepper. Bind together with the egg, shape into walnut-sized balls and dust with cornflour. Heat the oil and deep-fry until golden brown. Drain well before serving.

Butterfly Prawns

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb large peeled prawns

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

5 ml/1 tsp rice wine or dry sherry

5 ml/1 tsp minced ginger root

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp salt

2 eggs, beaten

30 ml/2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

15 ml/1 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour

oil for deep-frying

Slice the prawns halfway through the back and spread them out to form a butterfly shape. Mix together the soy sauce, wine or sherry, ginger and salt. Pour over the prawns and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Remove from the marinade and pat dry. Beat the egg with the cornflour and flour to a batter and dip the prawns in the batter. Heat the oil and deep-fry the prawns until golden brown. Drain well before serving.

Chinese Prawns

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb unpeeled prawns

30 ml/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

15 ml/1 tbsp brown sugar

Place the prawns in a bowl. Mix together the remaining ingredients, pour over the prawns and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Transfer to a baking tin and bake in a preheated oven at 150°C/300°F/ gas mark 2 for 25 minutes. Serve hot or cold in the shells for the guests to shell their own.

Prawn Crackers

Serves 4

100 g/4 oz prawn crackers

oil for deep-frying

Heat the oil until very hot. Add a handful of prawn crackers at a time and fry for a few seconds until they have puffed up. Remove from the oil and drain on kitchen paper while you continue to fry the crackers.

Crispy Prawns

Serves 4

450 g/1 lb peeled tiger prawns

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

10 ml/2 tsp soy sauce

5 ml/1 tsp five-spice powder

salt and pepper

90 ml/6 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

2 eggs, beaten

100 g/4 oz breadcrumbs

groundnut oil for deep-frying

Mix the prawns with the wine or sherry, soy sauce and five-spice powder and season with salt and pepper. Toss them in the cornflour then coat in beaten egg and breadcrumbs. Deep-fry in hot oil for a few minutes until lightly browned then drain and serve at once.

Prawns with Ginger Sauce

Serves 4

15 ml/1 tbsp soy sauce

5 ml/1 tsp rice wine or dry sherry

5 ml/1 tsp sesame oil

450 g/1 lb peeled prawns

30 ml/2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

15 ml/1 tbsp wine vinegar

5 ml/1 tsp chopped ginger root

Mix together the soy sauce, wine or sherry and sesame oil. Pour over the prawns, cover and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Grill the prawns for a few minutes until just cooked, basting with the marinade. Meanwhile, mix together the parsley, wine vinegar and ginger to serve with the prawns.

Prawn and Noodle Rolls

Serves 4

50 g/2 oz egg noodles, broken into pieces

15 ml/1 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil

50 g/2 oz lean pork, finely chopped

100 g/4 oz mushrooms, chopped

3 spring onions (scallions), chopped

100 g/4 oz peeled prawns, chopped

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

salt and pepper

24 wonton skins

1 egg, beaten

oil for deep-frying

Cook the noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes then drain and chop. Heat the oil and stir-fry the pork for 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and onions and stir-fry for 2 minutes then remove from the heat. Mix in the prawns, wine or sherry and noodles and season to taste with salt and pepper. Place spoonfuls of the mixture on the centre of each wonton skin and brush the edges with beaten egg. Fold over the edges then roll up the wrappers, sealing the edges together. Heat the oil and deep-fry the rolls a few at a time for about 5 minutes until golden. Drain on kitchen paper before serving.

Prawn Toasts

Serves 4

2 eggs 450 g/1 lb peeled prawns, minced

15 ml/1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

1 onion, finely chopped

30 ml/2 tbsp soy sauce

15 ml/1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

5 ml/1 tsp salt

5 ml/1 tsp minced ginger root

8 slices bread, cut into triangles

oil for deep-frying

Mix together 1 egg with all the remaining ingredients except the bread and oil. Spoon the mixture on to the bread triangles and press into a dome. Brush with the remaining egg. Heat about 5 cm/2 in of oil and deep-fry the bread triangles until golden brown. Drain well before serving.

Pork and Prawn Wontons with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Serves 4

120 ml/4 fl oz/¬Ω cup water

60 ml/4 tbsp wine vinegar

60 ml/4 tbsp brown sugar

30 ml/2 tbsp tomato purée (paste)

10 ml/2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)

25 g/1 oz mushrooms, chopped

25 g/1 oz peeled prawns, chopped

50 g/2 oz lean pork, chopped

2 spring onions (scallions), chopped

5 ml/1 tsp soy sauce

2.5 ml/¬Ω tsp grated ginger root

1 clove garlic, crushed

24 wonton skins

oil for deep-frying

Mix together the water, wine vinegar, sugar, tomato purée and cornflour in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously, then simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

Mix the mushrooms, prawns, pork, spring onions, soy sauce, ginger and garlic. Place spoonfuls of the filling on each skin, brush the edges with water and press together to seal. Heat the oil and deep-fry the wontons a few at a time until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper and serve hot with sweet and sour sauce.