Sizzling Chicken Shashlik (Mom's Cookery)

Shashlik is Russian! Just so you know. And originally it is meat skewers. The marinade is acidic, usually vinegar. The saucy form of Shashlik has grown to be a popular hybrid, and that's because of the Asian influence. My mother was super excited to try a simple recipe she came across (with some changes). To make this post memorable, I should mention, this was done during our Corona Virus Quarantine. Since we are in a rest phase at home, we are enjoying cooking without the daily, panicky rush of appointments and work. So, I had made egg and vegetable fried rice to compliment with this delicious sweet and sour recipe. Take it away.

INGREDIENTS
Chicken boneless (we used thighs), 500 grams, cut in cubes
Cornflour, 2-3 tablespoons
Ginger and garlic paste
Black pepper powder
Salt
Cooking oil (Canola used)
Bell peppers (mixed colors), 4-5 cups, cut in cubes
Onion, 1 medium, cut in cubes
Tomato, 1 medium, cut in cubes
Tomato ketchup, 2 cups
Hot sauce, 2 tablespoons
Soy sauce, 1 tablespoon
Oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon (optional)
Crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 tablespoons (more for spicy)
Distilled white vinegar, 1 tablespoon

MARINATION
In a large bowl, add chicken cubes, cornflour (2-3 tbsp), ginger and garlic paste (1 tbsp), black pepper powder (1 tbsp), salt (2 tsp, adjust later according to taste), and cooking oil (2 tbsp).
Mix the contents well, and marinate for 30 minutes.

FRYING THE CHICKEN
Deep fry the chicken cubes on medium heat until golden.
Check a piece when fried, first, for salt, and adjust accordingly.
Fry all the chicken and set aside.

SAUTE THE VEGGIES
Take 2 tbsp oil in a large saucepan and heat it.
Add bell peppers, onion, and tomato and saute for 2-3 minutes.

GRAVY PREPARATION
Take 1 tbsp oil, and 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste in a saucepan and set on high heat.
Add 2 cups ketchup, 2 tbsp hot sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, optional 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1/2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes, 2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar.
Stir and cook the contents for 2-3 minutes, and then add water to make sauce.
Add fried chicken cubes.
Add sauteed veggies.
Cook well for 3-4 minutes.

Serve hot, ideally with rice.