TASTY TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021 – NATIONAL CHOP SUEY DAY
National Chop Suey Day is on August 29th. If you like meat and vegetables, you will enjoy chop suey (or chow mein). Chop suey is pretty versatile. I will share my uncle’s chop suey recipe that he used to make often, but chop suey is meat and vegetables, rice, and a sauce. Chow mein is meat and vegetables over Chinese noodles. I use a recipe as a guide, but quite honestly, I usually use vegetables, meat if I have it, rice or noodles depending on what I have and almost always (for either one) I have some kind of a sauce (whether thin or thick). I prefer fresh vegetables, but do not always have the money to buy all fresh vegetables. Many grocery stores do sell cans of vegetables for chop suey or chow mein type dishes. You can even use a combination of fresh and canned vegetables. This dish is always a nice change, may be used as the primary dish of a meal or as a side dish. It’s just nice to honor National Chop Suet Day and enjoy!
CHOP SUEY
2 slices of pork steak, cut into small pieces – cooked in water until tender (optional) or you may use any left over or any prepared cooked meat you have (in small pieces).
ADD:
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 can mixed Chinese vegetables or buy fresh of your preference
1 can bean sprouts or use fresh
¾ cup of cooked rice (optional)
2 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 garlic clove minced (optional)
Cook until tender.
Serve with rice or Chinese noodles (optional).
CHEF’S TIPS:
I like to use a wok, but a large fry pan works well. If using fresh vegetables, I like to cook them until almost tender. I like to add well known Chinese vegetables if I have them – like water chestnuts and bamboo sprouts. Red peppers add to the bright colors as well. You can actually use broccoli or broccolini, and I like to cut my fresh vegetables in a little larger pieces.
Be creative. Use and prepare as you know what you, your family and/or guests enjoy. That is what any dish is all about – enjoyment in preparation and enjoyment in eating!
I particularly like colorful dishes such as these – we eat with our eyes before our palates.
However you choose to prepare it, I hope you will enjoy National Chop Suey Day 2021!
Bon Appetite’ with Love,
To download this recipe, click here.