It is not as difficult as you may think to make a real Triple Delight Chinese at home. It is an appetizing restaurant combination that combines chicken, beef, and shrimp into a single appetizing dish that beats takeout.
What Is Triple Delight Chinese
Triple delight chinese dish is a typical stir-fry with three varieties of proteins mixed with colorful vegetables in a brown savory sauce. It is named after the three meat parts that make a harmonious bite.
The triple delight chinese food is also referred to as Happy Family in other restaurants. The dish was created on the basis of the Cantonese culinary traditions, but it gained incredible popularity in the American Chinese restaurants. All ingredients also combine to produce balanced flavors and textures that will please all at the table.
The artistry to this dish is that it is versatile. The amount of spice can be changed, the different vegetables can be substituted according to what is available, and it can also be made vegetarian by replacing meat with tofu.
Ingredients You Need
For The Proteins
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Chicken breast (sliced thin) | 4 oz |
| Beef tenderloin (sliced thin) | 4 oz |
| Jumbo shrimp (peeled, deveined) | 8 pieces |
For The Vegetables
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Broccoli florets | 1 cup |
| Red bell pepper (sliced) | 1 medium |
| Snow peas | 1/2 cup |
| Water chestnuts | 1/2 cup |
| Baby corn | 1/2 cup |
| Carrots (sliced) | 1/2 cup |
For The Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Soy sauce | 3 tablespoons |
| Oyster sauce | 1.5 tablespoons |
| Chicken broth | 4 tablespoons |
| Cornstarch | 1.5 tablespoons |
| Sesame oil | 1 teaspoon |
| Five spice powder | 3/4 teaspoon |
| Sugar | 2 teaspoons |
Additional Items
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (minced)
- Green onions for garnish
Preparation of Triple Delight Chinese
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Begin by cutting the chicken and the beef into thin strips. Ensure that all the pieces are of approximately equal size so that they cook evenly. Peel the shrimp and devein it, in case you have not already done so.
Prepare all your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Another way of making the stir-frying process a lot easier is to make everything ready and then begin cooking.
Step 2: Marinate The Proteins
In separate bowls, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and a pinch of salt to the chicken and beef. Allow 15 minutes of marinating. This is a simple procedure that tenderizes the meat and gives it additional flavor.
In case of the shrimp, dry them using paper towels. This assists in attaining a superior sear during cooking.
Step 3: Make The Sauce
Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken broth, five spice powder, sugar, and sesame oil to a small bowl and whisk together. In a second small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water. Set both aside.
Step 4: Cook The Proteins
Put your wok or large skillet on high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil becomes very hot, add the chicken and stir-fry it for approximately 3 minutes until it becomes golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Add another 1 tablespoon of oil and fry the beef for 2 to 3 minutes till it has a light brown hue. Take off and reserve with the chicken.
Lastly, cook the shrimp using a stir-fry method for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimps turn pink. Remove from the pan.
Step 5: Stir-Fry The Vegetables
The rest of the oil is added to the same wok. Add the minced garlic and ginger, and allow them to sizzle for approximately 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Combine all the vegetables and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep them in constant motion so that they are crisp and don’t burn. The vegetables are supposed to be tender and at the same time they are to be crisp.
Step 6: Combine Everything
Add all the cooked proteins into the wok with the vegetables. When everything is in place, pour the sauce mixture and toss to coat.
Add the cornstarch mixture and stir it continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
Step 7: Serve
Place your Triple Delight Chinese onto a serving plate. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Serve immediately over hot jasmine rice or noodles.
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Pro Tips For Perfect Results
Cook on high heat. The trick to restaurant-quality stir-fry cooking is to cook quickly at a high temperature. This preserves vegetables and keeps proteins tender.
Don’t overcrowd the wok. Cook proteins in batches as required. Too much food in the pan at a time will steam rather than fry.
Get everything ready first and then begin cooking. As soon as you start stir-frying, everything happens quickly. It is better to have everything you need so that you don’t scramble or burn anything.
Blanch hard vegetables initially in case you want them to have a softer texture. Boil broccoli and carrots for 2 minutes, then stir-fry.
Pat the proteins dry before cooking. Excess moisture should be removed in order to achieve that most desired golden sear.
Variations To Try
Spicy Triple Delight
Add red pepper flakes, freshly sliced chilies, or chili garlic sauce (a tablespoon) to the sauce mixture. This provides the dish with a nice kick without being too overpowering in comparison to the other flavors.
Vegetarian Version
The meat may be replaced with extra firm tofu or tempeh. Incorporate more vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, and bok choy to make a healthy plant-based meal rich in protein.
Seafood Triple Delight
Substitute chicken and beef with scallops and squid. This creates an all-seafood variant which is even quicker to cook than the original.
Noodle Style
Rather than serving on rice, combine all ingredients with cooked lo mein, chow mein, or rice noodles to make a one-dish meal.
What To Serve With Triple Delight
Steamed jasmine rice is the traditional choice. The grains are fluffy and thus absorb the tasty sauce easily.
Fried rice gives the meal an additional taste as well as fills the stomach. Both egg fried rice and vegetable fried rice would be nice.
Hot and sour soup is quite a starter. The spicy and tangy broth is a way to make your taste buds ready to receive the main dish.
Spring rolls or egg rolls introduce the crispy factor which is a contrast to the tender stir-fry.
Steamed dumplings make this a complete Chinese meal and will impress the guests.
Storage And Reheating
Keep Triple Delight Chinese leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and it lasts up to 3 days. Always make sure that it is cooled to room temperature.
To reheat, use a skillet or wok on medium heat. Add some water or chicken broth to avoid drying. Stir often until hot.
Leftovers are also microwaveable. Put in a dish with a lid that is microwave-safe, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between the intervals.
For longer storage, freeze the dish for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight prior to heating.
Read also: Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe: Master Greek Flavors at Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to prepare Triple Delight Chinese in advance?
All ingredients and preparation of the meats can be done in advance, and everything cooked immediately before serving to guarantee freshness. When the vegetables have been cooked fresh, they remain the crispest.
So, what is the difference between Triple Delight and Happy Family?
They are very similar dishes. There are restaurants that interchange the names. Happy Family occasionally adds additional seafood such as scallops or crab to it, whereas Triple Delight focuses on the three main proteins.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, but fresh vegetables offer better texture and taste. When using frozen, place them in the hot wok without thawing so that they retain a little of the crispness.
Any alternatives to oyster sauce?
Try hoisin sauce or soy sauce mixed with a bit of honey. It will have a slightly different flavor but will be delicious.
What should I do to thicken the sauce?
Add additional cornstarch slurry. Mix an additional tablespoon and keep adding until you get the desired thickness.