Chicken with Walnuts in Plum Sauce

1 cup walnut halves
1 teaspoon beaten egg
1 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
6 chicken thighs (1 1/2 pounds), boned, skinned and
    cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup oil
2 teaspoons plum or hoisin sauce
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
2 green onions, finely chopped (garnish)

Pour boiling water over walnuts and let stand 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

Combine egg with 1 teaspoon oil and cornstarch in small bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss gently to coat them evenly.

Heat 1/2 cup oil in wok over medium high heat until haze forms. Add walnuts and fry until golden about 45 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add chicken to wok and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Drain well. Pour off all but thin film of oil. Return pan to heat, add plum or hoisin sauce, ginger, sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil and stir until combined. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly until sauce begins to glisten, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Add chicken and walnuts and mix thoroughly with sauce. Transfer to heated serving platter and garnish with chopped green onions.