What is Chop Suey
Chop Suey which literally means “assorted pieces” is a stir-fry dish popular in Chinese cooking. It traditionally includes bite-sized meat such as pork, chicken, or shrimp. and assorted vegetables such as celery, broccoli, carrots, or cabbage flash-cooked in a starch-thickened sauce.
This vegetable stir-fry is a hearty and nutritious dish that’s packed with good-for-you vitamins and minerals you’ll love serving the whole family. It’s delicious enjoyed on its own or served as a complete meal with steamed rice.
Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe is you can use whatever vegetables and protein you have on hand. Check out the suggestion list below and pick your favorite combination!
- Vegetables-broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, baby corn, chayote, snow peas, bok choy, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, bean sprouts, bell peppers
- Protein- chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, fish cakes, scallops, liver, gizzards, quail eggs, tofu
- 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced on a bias into 1/4-inch thick
- 1/2 broccoli, cut into florets
- 1/2 cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 cabbage, cut into 1-inch thick strips
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 1/2 bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup chicken liver, cut thin strips
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 cup chicken thigh fillets, cut into thin strips
- 2 cups poaching liquid (reserved from parboiling the vegetables)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 5 pieces baby corn, halved crosswise
- 6 hardboiled quail eggs, peeled
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a bowl halfway with ice and enough water to cover ice. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt for each quart of water. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, bring 3 cups of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook for about 1 minute or until half done. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and plunge into bowl of ice bath.
- Add broccoli and cauliflower to the boiling water and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until half-done. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and plunge into the ice bath.
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Add cabbage to the boiling water and cook for about 30 seconds or until half-done. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and plunge into the ice bath.
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Add peppers to the boiling water and cook for about 30 seconds or until half-done. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and plunge into the ice bath.
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Reserve 2 cups of the poaching liquid (the one used to blanch vegetables).
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Drain vegetables from the ice bath when they are cold.
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In a wok or wide skillet over medium heat, heat about 2 tablespoons of the oil.
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Add chicken liver in a single layer and fry until lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked. Remove from pan and keep warm.
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Discard excess oil and wipe down the pan. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and heat.
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Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
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Add chicken and cook, stirring regularly, until color changes.
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In a bowl, combine the reserved poaching liquid and oyster sauce. Add to the pan and bring to a boil. Continue to cook, skimming scum that may float on top, for about 4 to 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
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Add the liver and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
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Add parboiled vegetables, baby corn, and quail eggs, stirring gently to combine, and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes.
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In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup of cold water and corn starch and stir until corn starch is dissolved. Add mixture to the pan, stirring gently. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Cooking tips
- Cut the ingredients in uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- The most important step you shouldn’t skip is parboiling the vegetables. Blanching in boiling salted water and then shocking them in an ice bath help maintain vibrant colors and crisp texture.
- Make sure to drain the parboiled vegetables well lest the excess liquid will thin out the sauce.
- Use a wok or wide pan to allow good distribution of ingredients and prevent overcrowding which can result in a soggy texture.
Chop Suey is a quick and easy stir-fry perfect for busy weeknights. With chicken, quail eggs, tender-crisp vegetables, and flavorful sauce, it's nutritious as it is delicious!