📝 About This Recipe
A cornerstone of Modern American-Chinese cuisine, the 'Happy Family' is a celebratory dish symbolizing unity and abundance through its diverse selection of meats and seafood. This recipe features a luxurious combination of tender chicken, succulent shrimp, savory beef, and roast pork tossed with a rainbow of crisp vegetables in a glossy, savory brown sauce. It is a spectacular centerpiece that brings the restaurant-quality 'wok hei' flavor directly to your home kitchen.
🥗 Ingredients
The Protein Medley
- 8-10 pieces Large Shrimp (peeled, deveined, and tail-on)
- 1/2 lb Chicken Breast (thinly sliced against the grain)
- 1/2 lb Flank Steak (thinly sliced against the grain)
- 1/2 cup Char Siu (Roast Pork) (sliced into bite-sized pieces)
The Vegetable Garden
- 1.5 cups Broccoli Florets (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup Snow Peas (trimmed)
- 1/2 cup Carrots (thinly sliced into coins or flowers)
- 1/4 cup Water Chestnuts (sliced)
- 1/4 cup Bamboo Shoots (sliced)
- 4-5 pieces Shiitake Mushrooms (stems removed and sliced)
- 1/2 cup Baby Corn (canned or fresh)
Aromatics and Sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger (finely grated)
- 1 cup Chicken Stock (low sodium)
- 3 tablespoons Oyster Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (regular or light soy)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing Wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1.5 tablespoons Cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water for a slurry)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Prepare the 'Velveting' marinade for the raw meats: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced chicken and beef with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, and a splash of oil. Let sit for 15 minutes to ensure tenderness.
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2
Whisk together the sauce ingredients: Combine the chicken stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil in a small jug. Set the cornstarch slurry aside in a separate small bowl.
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3
Blanch the hardy vegetables: Bring a pot of water to a boil and flash-cook the broccoli and carrots for 60-90 seconds until vibrant but still crisp. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking.
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4
Heat a large wok or heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat until it begins to smoke slightly. Add 2 tablespoons of high-smoke point oil (like peanut or vegetable oil).
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5
Sear the shrimp first until they turn pink and opaque (about 2 minutes). Remove from the wok and set aside.
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6
In the same wok, add another tablespoon of oil and sear the beef and chicken slices. Spread them out to get a good brown sear, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until just done. Remove and set aside with the shrimp.
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7
Reduce heat slightly to medium-high. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
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8
Toss in the mushrooms, snow peas, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and baby corn. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
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9
Return the cooked shrimp, beef, chicken, and the sliced roast pork (Char Siu) to the wok. Add the blanched broccoli and carrots.
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10
Pour the sauce mixture over the ingredients. Toss everything vigorously for 1 minute to heat through.
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11
Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir and pour it into the center of the wok. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens into a clear, glossy glaze that coats all the ingredients.
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12
Transfer the Happy Family stir-fry to a large serving platter and serve immediately while steaming hot.
💡 Chef's Tips
The secret to restaurant-quality stir-fry is 'Mise en Place'—have every single ingredient chopped and measured before you turn on the heat. Use a high-smoke point oil like peanut, grapeseed, or canola; olive oil will burn at the temperatures required for this dish. Don't skip the 'velveting' step for the chicken and beef; it creates that silky texture characteristic of high-end Chinese cuisine. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a tablespoon of chicken stock; if too thin, add a little more cornstarch slurry. For the best flavor, use fresh ginger and garlic rather than the jarred versions.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve alongside fluffy steamed Jasmine rice to soak up the delicious brown sauce. Pair with a crisp, dry Riesling or a chilled Tsingtao beer to balance the savory notes. Start the meal with a light Hot and Sour soup or crispy vegetable spring rolls. Drizzle with a little homemade chili oil if you prefer a spicy kick. Finish the meal with sliced oranges or almond cookies for a traditional touch.