Crockpot Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken

Serves 4-6 (really 4 because its so yummy!)
3-4 lbs of chicken (whole or pieces)
1/3 c soy sauce
1/3 c packed light brown sugar
1/4 c water
1/4 c apple juice or sherry (I use any sweet juice on hand)
3 T catsup
1/2 t red pepper flakes (optional)
2 green onions, trimmed and halved (I just chop and toss in)
1 clove garlic, pressed
2 T cornstarch + 1 T cold water
2 T sesame seeds (toasted)

Wash and dry chicken.  Remove giblets and neck (if using a whole chicken) and cut off excess fat.  Put in cooker, breast side up (if whole).  Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, water, sherry, catsup, red pepper flakes, green onions, garlic in small bowl and pour over chicken.  Cover and cook on HIGH for 3.5 - 4.5 hours until temp on an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 180.  (I just cook it until it's falling off the bones)

Transfer chicken to platter and mix cornstartch with water and stir into the remaining sauce.  Stir constantly while cooking still on high, and it will thicken.  Spoon over chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

One Pot Chicken

• 1 large stewing chicken, well rinsed
• 2 large onion, chopped
• 2 large carrot, chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup mixed minced fresh herbs, (such as parsley, sage, thyme and oregano)
• 4 cup water
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup flour

Directions:

1. Place the chicken, vegetables and water in a cast iron pot or large stew pot. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Suspend just far enough over an open fire to bring the water to a simmer and keep it there. Simmer for one and a half hours. Alternatively place on a burner on a modern stove and do the same.
2. While the chicken cooks make a modern roux with the flour and butter. Melt the butter and stir in the flour until a smooth thick paste forms.
3. In the last twenty minutes of cooking add the herbs. When done carefully remove the chicken and vegetables to a serving platter. To make gravy whisk the roux into the simmering juices that remain. Serve immediately.