Monday, June 10, 2013
Kahiki General Tso's Chicken
In looking over their product line, I noted that most, but
not all, of the smaller serving sizes were entrees but many of the larger,
family-sized offerings also contained the accompanying rice. Read the package
to see what you are buying.
Opening the box you find two plastic wrapped equal portions
containing the pre-cooked breaded chicken and a packet of sauce. The chicken is
heated on a baking sheet in a preheated 400° F oven for 15 to 18 minutes (deep
fry instructions are also included if you wish). The sauce packet is defrosted-heated
in a bowl with heated to boiling water. When the chicken and the sauce are
heated, coat the chicken with the sauce by gently folding with a spatula in a bowl.
That is about as simple as you can get heat and serve.
As much as I like this product, for the purists I will admit
that it is not complete. Traditionally served with a chili pod, broccoli and
sometimes steamed carrots, this version has the chicken and sauce only. That
doesn’t bother me so much because I am in the instance using it as a side dish
with my from-scratch home-made saffron chicken fried rice. If I were going to
feature the General Tso’s Chicken as a main dish, I would prepare some broccoli
and carrots on the side and add them to the plate. As such I believe they would
fare well when compared to the offerings better take-out establishments. The
sauce is mildly seasoned. If you like your General Tso’s on the hotter side the
sauce would benefit from the addition of
a bit of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
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| 40-ounce Club Package General Tso's Chicken |
Kahiki General Tso’s Chicken
I have not too long ago done a product review on another
General Tso’s chicken. It did not bear up well to scrutiny. When I purchased
that product in the supermarket, I was looking for another brand that I had previously
purchased in Sam’s Club, Kahiki Genral Tso’s chicken. I have since returned to
Sam’s Club and purchased some good stuff and I have done a little research on
the Kahiki line. They make an extensive line of various oriental-style foods,
mostly chicken based, in 10-ounce individual servings, 24 to 32-ounce family servings
and 40-ounce club packages for Sam’s Club and Costco. Strangely, the offerings
between the two membership stores are different. Sam’s Club offers General Tso’s
Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken whereas Costco offers The General’s Chicken
(I would guess guess General Tso’s by another name) and Crispy Honey Chicken.
The Kahiki website features a store locator to find stores that sell their products.
When I looked for a location nearby that sold the smaller portions, I could
find none in my or surrounding ZIP codes in Gulf-coast central Florida. It
looks like I will have to continue buying my supply at one or the other large,
membership box stores.
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| Chicken Morsels on Baking Sheet |
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| Individual Packet With Chicken and Sauce |
As I mentioned, I have purchased this product before and was
satisfied enough that I sought it out again. When I couldn’t find it in the local
supermarket I instead purchased another product that did not at all meet
expectations. In this instance I returned to Sam’s Club and purchase the Kihiki
General Tso’s Chicken (Tempura white meat chicken in a mildly spiced ginger and
garlic sauce) in the 40-ounce Club Pack.
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| Sauce Packet in Hot Wtaer |
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| Chicken Morsels Mixed With Sauce |
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| General Tso's Chicken Served With Saffron Chicken Fried Rice And An Egg Roll |
Not always easy to find and the exact product you are
looking for may not be available. Preparation is easy and straightforward. Most chicken pieces are bite-sized white meat that is coated well. The sauce is of the right consistency, an adequate amount and it clings well. The
result is a product that is very tasty, of good quality. If you like General Tso’s
Chicken I believe you will enjoys the version produced by Kahiki.
Labels: Costco, General Tso's Chicken, Kahiki, Sams Club, sauce
¶ 9:54 AM
