Something Special About Spike Island

Sugared Pecans: In small skillet combine 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil, med?low heat, with 2/oz pecan pieces. Stir only till heated and barely bubbly. Sprinkle with 4 tablespoons sugar.

Stir briskly only till sugar dissolves, on low heat AS THESE BURN QUICKLY!
Work fast. Dump them into paper towel lined plate.
Spread out to cool while you prepare the rest.

Plumped Raisins: In small saucepan combine 1/3 cup raisins and 1 cup boiling water. Cover pan with lid 20 minutes. Drain and discard water. Add 1/2 cup packaged shredded coconut to raisins. Set aside.

Dumplings: In dutch oven combine 6 cups water and 1/2 cup sugar. Bring to boil. While you wait for that to boil, combine in medium bowl, 3 cups Bisquick, 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, stirring with fork to moisten thick dough. When water come to boil, drop dough by rounded tablespoonful into boiling water, making about 14 dumplings. Cover pan with lid. Simmer dumplings very gently 20 minutes. Uncover and let cook another 10 minutes gently. Baste often in the liquid, which is now becoming thickened and creamy looking. Remove pan from heat. With slotted spoon remove HALF of dumplings to greased 8″ square baking dish. Sprinkle with pecans and raisins/coconut. Arrange rest of dumplings over that. Set aside.

Make sauce next.Caramel Sauce: Strain remaining liquid into heavy 2 1/2 quart saucepan. Bring to boil. Stir constantly. Add 1 cup packed light brown sugar, stirring vigorously, med?heat till it boils briskly 2 or 3 minutes or till sugar is completely dissolved and sauce drops from spoon in large drops rather than like water. It should be the consistancy of smooth gravy.

Spoon sauce over dumplings filling dish right to the rim. Cool 15 minutes. Cover; refrigerate to serve within few days. Micro warm servings or use cold with a scoop of ice cream on top of each.

Serves 6 to 8.

Sauce:
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1+1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1+1/2 tsp. minced ginger root
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup cooking wine
1+1/2 cup hot chicken broth
3 lbs. deboned dark chicken meat, cut into large chunks
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp white pepper
1 egg
1 cup cornstarch
Vegetable oil for deep?frying
2 cups sliced green onions
16 small dried hot peppers

Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch with water. Add garlic, ginger, sugar, ½ cup soy sauce, vinegar, wine, chicken broth and MSG (if desired). Stir until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until needed. In separate bowl, mix chicken, 1/4 cup soy sauce and white pepper. Stir in egg. Add 1 cup cornstarch and mix until chicken pieces are coated evenly. Add a little vegetable oil to help separate chicken pieces. Divide chicken into small quantities and deep-fry at 350 degrees until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Place a small amount of oil in wok and heat until wok is hot. Add onions and peppers and stir-fry briefly. Stir sauce and add to wok. Place chicken in sauce and cook until sauce thickens.