Dissolve the baking soda in water in a shallow bowl

Add meat and stir to coat

Soak meat for 15 minutes and no more than 20 minutes

Use a collander to strain off liquid and rinse under cold water

Dry the meat with paper towels

Rinse out the shallow bowl and dry, then mix the cornstarch with the sherry or wine

Coat the meat pieces with the mixture and reserve until frying