The Search for General Tso (2014)

The Search for General Tso (2014). 1h 11m | Not Rated

“The Search for General Tso is an engaging chronicle of cultural assimilation told u0026quot;with the verve of a good detective storyu0026quot; by writer-director Ian Cheney and producers Amanda Murray and Jennifer 8. Lee and based on a ubiquitous restaurant menu item adapted to Americansu0026#39; palate. (A recipe is included on the filmu0026#39;s website.) Shown during the recent Sedona International Film Festival, at other film festivals around the country, and available for viewing through the link above, this popular, humor-laced documentary also traces the history of the real General Tso, a fearsome warrior from the late 19th Century.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe dish was inspired by President Nixonu0026#39;s historic visit to China in 1972 and was introduced at the venerable Shun Lee Palace, near Lincoln Center in New York City. But the dishu0026#39;s history predates its American introduction. Its originator was a Hunan chef named Peng Chang-kuei, who fled Communist China and settled in Taipei, Taiwan. He created General Tsou0026#39;s chicken in 1955 for Chiang Kai-shek.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNow 90 years old, Chef Peng frowns when shown a picture of the dish, noting he would never use scallions or decorate the plate with broccoli! To achieve a sweet-and-sour taste, the American version adds sugar—another touch unheard of in traditional Chinese cooking.”