Chicken With Peanuts

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound raw boneless chicken
• 5 dried black Chinese mushrooms
• 2 scallions
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 piece of fresh ginger the size of an acorn
• 1 tablespoon brown bean sauce
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with a little water
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese thick soy (Chinese bead molasses)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 tablespoon sake or dry sherry
• 13 cup shelled roasted peanuts