Work in Progress

So part of me did not want to post this, but the other part thought I could get some useful hints from all my readers! I attempted the Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe tonight with my awesome friends Megan and Geoff.
As we were cooking, it looked like a success, but the taste was not there.
The orange flavor was not strong enough, it lacked a sweetness, and it just didn't taste the same as Panda Express.

Here is the recipe that we used:

Panda Express Orange Chicken
2 lbs. boneless chicken pieces, skinned
1 egg
1 1/2 teas. salt
white pepper
oil (for frying)
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbl. cornstarch
1/4 cup flour
1 Tbl. minced ginger root
1 teas. minced garlic
dash crushed hot red chiles
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 Tbl. rice wine
1/4 cup water
1/2 to 1 teas. sesame oil

ORANGE SAUCE FOR STIR FRY:
2 teas. Minced zest and
1/4 c Juice from
1 lg Orange
1/2 teas. Sugar
2 Tbl. Chicken stock
1 Tbl. Light soy sauce

Combine all ingredients in small bowl and set aside.

Cut chicken pieces in 2" squares and place in large bowl. Stir in egg,
salt, pepper, and 1 T oil and mix well. Stir cornstarch and flour
together. Add chicken pieces, stirring to coat.

Heat oil for deep−frying in wok or deep−fryer to 375. Add chicken pieces,
a small batch at time, and fry 3 to 4 minutes or until golden and crisp.
(Do not overcook or chicken will be tough.) Remove chicken from oil with
slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

Clean wok and heat 15 seconds over high heat. Add 1 T oil. Add ginger
and garlic and stir−fry until fragrant. Add and stir−fry crushed chiles
and green onions. Add rice wine and stir 3 seconds. Add Orange Sauce
and bring to boil. Add cooked chicken, stirring until well mixed.
Stir water into remaining 1 T cornstarch until smooth.
Add to chicken and heat until sauce is thick. Stir in 1 teas. sesame oil.

Don't get me wrong, it tasted good. (We ended up adding honey to the top to give it that sweet glazed taste.) But there was definitely something missing.

Next time we make it, we are going to try adding some Orange Marmalade and see if that will give it the extra WOW factor.

SO PLEASE PEOPLE!!! LEAVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS!!
Let me know what YOU would do!

-Bon Apetite!