Orange Chicken

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel and finely chop the garlic. Cut off and discard the root end of the scallion; thinly slice on an angle, separating the white bottom and green top. Cut off and discard the ends of the squash; carefully peel the squash. Cut the squash in half lengthwise; using a spoon, scoop out and discard the pulp and seeds. Medium dice the squash. Cut the celery on an angle into ½-inch-wide pieces.

In a medium pot, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add half the garlic and half the white bottom of the scallion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until softened. Add the rice, a big pinch of salt and 1½ cups of water; heat to boiling on high, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook 14 to 16 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat; fluff with a fork.

While the rice cooks, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the squash; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 7 minutes, or until softened. Add half the soy sauce; cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until well coated. Transfer to a plate; season with salt and pepper to taste. Wipe out the pan.

While the rice continues to cook, in the same pan, heat half the sesame oil on medium-high until hot. Add the celery and remaining garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened. Add ¼ cup of water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 4 minutes, or until cooked off. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the pan.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season both sides with salt and pepper. In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chicken; cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until lightly browned. Add the marmalade, remaining white bottom of the scallion, remaining soy sauce and sesame oil, ¼ cup of water and as much of the sambal oelek as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Add the cooked celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.

Add the cooked squash to the pot of cooked rice; stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving dish. Season the orange chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to the serving dish of finished rice. Garnish with the green top of the scallion. Enjoy!