Bang Bang Chicken (棒棒鸡)

Cover the chicken with cold water, add the vegetables and spices and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Leave to cool with the lid on. Meanwhile, prepare the sesame sauce: fry the sesame seeds in a frying pan on a medium heat until golden brown. Place them in a blender with the sugar and chilli. Pour a thin stream of oil into the blender while blending the sauce. Break the cooled chicken into strips: beat the legs with a round rolling pin or the flat end of a meat hammer and remove the meat from the bone. Cut the cucumber into strips and place them in deep bowls (adding rice noodles if desired), place the chicken on top, pour over the sesame sauce and sprinkle with the chopped fresh pepper. Serve immediately.