**Chop Suey: A Filipino-Style Stir-Fried Delight**
**Chop Suey** is a popular and beloved dish in the Philippines, often seen as the perfect blend of East and West. Though it originated in China, its adaptation to Filipino tastes has made it a household staple and a favorite in Filipino dining tables. This stir-fried vegetable dish is typically made with a variety of fresh, crisp vegetables, meat, and a savory sauce that pulls everything together. It’s colorful, hearty, and incredibly satisfying, making it a go-to dish for both everyday meals and special occasions.
**A Brief History of Chop Suey**
The story of **Chop Suey** is somewhat murky, with several theories surrounding its origins. The dish is believed to have originated in **China**, but it wasn’t until Chinese immigrants arrived in the United States in the 19th century that it gained widespread popularity. One theory is that **Chop Suey** was created by Chinese immigrants in the U.S. using a mix of leftover vegetables and meats to serve the growing demand for Chinese-inspired food. The name “Chop Suey” itself means “miscellaneous pieces” or “assorted items” in Cantonese, reflecting its origins as a humble, everyday dish made from whatever ingredients were available.
When the dish made its way to the Philippines, it underwent a transformation. Filipinos embraced the dish and incorporated local ingredients and flavors, adapting it to the taste of the Filipino palate. Filipino Chop Suey typically includes more diverse ingredients such as shrimp, chicken, pork, or beef, and it’s often cooked in a thicker, savory sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch.
Today, Chop Suey remains a quintessential Filipino dish, served in homes, restaurants, and during special celebrations like birthdays, holidays, and fiestas.
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**Ingredients for Filipino Chop Suey**
The beauty of Chop Suey lies in its versatility. You can adjust the ingredients depending on what’s available, or based on personal preference. While the base consists of vegetables, protein options like chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef are often added to make the dish heartier and more substantial. The vegetables are usually stir-fried to retain their crunch and freshness, while the sauce binds everything together in a savory, umami-packed coating.
**For the Vegetables:**
– **1 cup cabbage (sliced)**
– **1/2 cup green beans (sliced into 2-inch lengths)**
– **1/2 cup carrots (julienned or sliced thinly)**
– **1/2 cup bell pepper (sliced thinly)**
– **1/2 cup cauliflower florets**
– **1/2 cup baby corn (optional)**
– **1/4 cup snow peas or snap peas**
– **1/4 cup celery (sliced thin)**
– **1/4 cup mushrooms (shiitake or button mushrooms, sliced)**
#### **For the Meat (choose one or a combination):**
– **200g chicken breast or thigh (diced or shredded)**
– **200g pork (thinly sliced or diced)**
– **200g shrimp (peeled and deveined)**
– **200g beef (thinly sliced or diced)**
#### **For the Sauce:**
– **2 tbsp soy sauce**
– **1 tbsp oyster sauce**
– **1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional)**
– **1 tsp sugar**
– **1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth**
– **1 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken the sauce)**
– **1/2 tsp ground black pepper**
– **1 tbsp sesame oil (optional for added flavor)**
#### **For Stir-Frying:**
– **2 tbsp vegetable oil**
– **2 cloves garlic (minced)**
– **1 medium onion (sliced)**
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**How to Make Filipino Chop Suey**
Making Chop Suey is simple and straightforward, but the key to its success lies in how you manage the timing and texture of the vegetables. The goal is to have a crisp, fresh, and colorful combination of ingredients that are cooked just right—not too soft, but still tender enough to blend well with the sauce and meat.
**Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients**
Before you start cooking, make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go. Slice the vegetables, chop the meat into bite-sized pieces, and prepare your sauce by mixing the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), sugar, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Stir well to dissolve the cornstarch and set it aside.
**Step 2: Cook the Meat**
Heat **1 tablespoon of oil** in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the meat of your choice (chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp) and stir-fry until the meat is fully cooked and slightly browned. This should take about **3-5 minutes** depending on the type of meat. Once cooked, remove the meat from the pan and set it aside.
**Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics**
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Toss in the minced **garlic** and **onion**. Sauté for **1-2 minutes** until the garlic is fragrant and the onion becomes translucent. This is the base of the dish and will infuse the oil with a savory aroma.
**Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables**
Now it’s time to cook the vegetables. Start with the **harder vegetables** that take longer to cook, such as the **carrots, cauliflower, and green beans**. Stir-fry them for about **2-3 minutes** until they start to soften but still have a slight crunch.
Next, add the **bell peppers, snow peas, mushrooms, baby corn, and celery**. Continue stir-frying for another **2-3 minutes** until all the vegetables are crisp-tender. You want the vegetables to remain vibrant in color and retain their natural crunch, as overcooking can result in a mushy texture.
**Step 5: Add the Meat and Sauce**
Once the vegetables are cooked, return the meat to the pan. Add the sauce mixture, stirring everything to combine. The sauce will thicken as the cornstarch activates, creating a glossy coating over the vegetables and meat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken or vegetable broth to adjust the consistency.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more soy sauce or sugar for balance. **Add black pepper** to taste for a little heat, or if you like a more robust flavor, a dash of **sesame oil** can elevate the dish.
**Step 6: Serve**
Once everything is well-combined and heated through, remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the Chop Suey to a serving platter, and enjoy it hot. This dish is often served with **steamed rice**, which soaks up the flavorful sauce and complements the crunchy vegetables.
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**Serving Suggestions**
– **With Steamed Rice:** Filipino Chop Suey is typically served as a main dish with a side of steamed rice. The rice helps balance the rich, savory sauce, making each bite a perfect combination of flavors and textures.
– **For Special Occasions:** Chop Suey is a staple in Filipino households during festive occasions like Christmas, New Year, birthdays, and family reunions. It’s also a popular dish in restaurants and carinderias (local eateries), often paired with other Filipino favorites like **Sinigang (sour soup)**, **Lechon (roast pig)**, or **Adobo (marinated meat)**.
– **As a One-Dish Meal:** With its mix of protein and vegetables, Chop Suey can stand alone as a filling one-dish meal. You can serve it with a side of **fried tofu** or **pancit (noodles)** for added variety and texture.
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**Why You’ll Love Filipino Chop Suey**
1. **Colorful and Nutritious:** Chop Suey is a visually appealing dish with its vibrant mix of vegetables. It’s also highly nutritious, packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the vegetables and protein from the meat.
2. **Customizable:** Whether you prefer chicken, shrimp, or a vegetarian version, Chop Suey can be made to suit any dietary preference. You can even swap the vegetables to incorporate whatever is in season or available at your local market.
3. **Comfort Food:** The combination of tender meat, crisp vegetables, and savory sauce is deeply satisfying. It’s the perfect comfort food that’s hearty yet light enough to enjoy any time of the year.
4. **Quick and Easy to Make:** With just a few simple steps, Chop Suey comes together quickly and easily, making it an ideal dish for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
5. **Perfect for Leftovers:** Like many stir-fried dishes, Chop Suey tastes even better the next day. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.
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**Tips and Variations**
1. **Vegetarian Version:** To make a vegetarian Chop Suey, simply omit the meat and add extra tofu, mushrooms, or tempeh for protein. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a completely plant-based version.
2. **Different Protein Options:** For a unique twist, try using fish fillets, squid, or even crispy fried pork belly (for extra texture) in place of the traditional meats.
3. **Adding Extra Heat:** If you enjoy spicy food, you can add sliced **chilies** or a dash of **chili flakes** to the dish for a bit of kick.
4. **For Extra Crispiness:** If you want to give the dish some extra texture, you can add some.
