Dapanji
Dapanji () or ' (, чоң тәхсә тоху қорумиси; also spelled '), is a type of chicken stew. It is a popular dish that originated in Xinjiang, China. Etymology. "Dapanji" means "big plate chicken" in Chinese. In its Uyghur name, (, Чоң, "qong") means "big", (, Тәхсә, "təhsə") means "platter", (, Тоху, ) means "chicken" and (, Қорумиси, "ⱪorumisi") means "fried". History. The dish gained popularity in Xinjiang in the mid-to-late 1990s. It is said to have been invented in Shawan, Northern Xinjiang, by a migrant from Sichuan who mixed hot chili peppers with chicken and potatoes in an attempt to reproduce a Sichuan taste. Although  Shawan is generally believed to the place of origin of the dish, there are also other claims of origin, including an invention by a Hunan native at Chaiwopu Lake near Ürümqi. Some believed the dish was originally served in a number of smaller plates, but later a large single plate was used instead which gave it its name. The dish was served by restaurateurs along the Xinjiang highways as a quick fix for truck drivers who often arrived at an odd time of the day. Its rich flavor and heartiness quickly made the dish a favorite of the region and  the dish then spread to the rest of China. Ingredients and preparation. The main ingredients are chicken, bell peppers and potatoes, cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, chili peppers, ground cumin, star anise, ground Sichuan peppers, cooking oil, also optionally soy sauce and beer. The chicken is cut into bite size pieces (usually unboned), sautéed with spices and coarsely chopped vegetables and simmered in broth, providing a savory and spicy casserole-like dish. It is usually served with "laghman" (wide, hand-stretched noodles; known as "latiaozi" or "kudaimian" in China) and shared by family and friends in a communal manner. Other  variations of the dish may be served with "nan" (馕包大盘鸡), a staple bread widely consumed in Xinjiang, usually served baked or roasted in Xinjiang restaurants and other places. With the sauce, the bread becomes very soft and moist, producing a melt-in-the-mouth savoury texture.