American Chop Suey

The “AMERICAN CHOP SUEY”

Almost all restaurants serving Chinese food in India boast of the “American Chop Suey”.

American Chop Suey (also American Goulash, Chili-Macaroni, Chili-Mac, Mac ‘n Beef, Macaroni and Beef, or simply Macaroni) is an American pasta dish. The preferred name and recipe varies by region, for example, the name American chop suey is most prevalent in New England. Commercial preparations of this dish are commonly marketed as Macaroni and Beef. Classic American chop suey consists of elbow macaroni and bits of cooked ground beef with sautéed onions and green peppers in a thick tomato-based sauce. Though this decidedly American comfort food is clearly influenced by Italian-American cuisine, it is known as a chop suey because it is a sometimes-haphazard hodgepodge of meat and vegetables.………….source Wikipedia

Food historians generally agree that chop suey as we know it was invented in the United States in the mid-1800’s, possibly by one of the Cantonese immigrants who flooded California searching for work. Constrained by the lack of Asian vegetables, and trying to produce a Chinese dish palatable to westerners, a Cantonese cook stir-fried whatever vegetables were handy, added some meat or chicken, and served the finished product on a plate of steamed rice. He christened his creation, chop suey, which is the English pronunciation of the Cantonese words “tsap seui” (“tsa-sui” in Mandarin) which means “mixed pieces”. …………source Chinesefood.about.com

Anyway, American chop suey is quite a favorite of a lot of people and its quite wholesome and delicious too.  Here is a recipe that I learnt from a professional cook Mrs. Minocha in Aurangabad , India.

The recipe:  (4 servings)

For the Noodles:

• Maggi/Ramen/Mama noodles  2 Packs (200 grams)

For the Sauce:

• Garlic 7 cloves (minced)
• Tomato sauce/Ketchup 1 cup
• Soya Sauce 1 tsp.
• Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp.
• Sugar 1 1/2 Tbsp.
• oil 1 tsp.
• Corn starch 1 Tbsp. (called corn flour in India)
• salt to taste

For the Vegetables:

• Onion 1 sliced lengthwise
• Green Bell Pepper/Capsicum 1 sliced thin
• Cauliflower 3 Flowerets chopped
• Carrots 2 sliced like matchsticks
• Green Beans 7-8 french cut(lengthwise)
• Soya sauce 1 Tbsp.
• Crushed Black Pepper 1/2 tsp.
• Oil 1 Tbsp.
• Salt to taste

The actual recipe called for Mama noodles first boiled in salted water and then deep fried. I used Maggi masala Atta (whole wheat) noodles (available in Indian grocery stores) . Ramen noodles can easily be substituted. I did not use the masala sachet i.e. the seasoning. I sprayed the noodles with oil spray and put them in a preheated oven. 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Make sure to keep moving them every 3-4 minutes to avoid them getting burnt.

Noodles on the baking tray

For the Sauce: Heat the oil and fry the garlic for 1 minute.  Add tomato sauce, red chilli powder, salt , soya sauce and sugar. Add 1- 1/2 cups water. Let the whole thing come to a boil. Mix the corn starch with 1 Tbsp. cold water and add it to the sauce. Reduce heat to low and cook for 1 more minute. Orange color is added in Indian restaurants but I have never felt the need to do so.

For the vegetables: First par boil cauliflower in a little salted water. I used the microwave for 1 minute. Heat oil in a wok and fry onion for a minute. I use high flame for the vegetables. Next add the capsicum and cabbage. Next add carrot, green beans and cauliflower. Mix well. Next add salt, soya sauce and crushed black pepper . Mix well and turn off the heat. The key is to keep the vegetables quite crunchy.

Baked noodles, sweet & sour sauce and Chop Suey Vegetables

To assemble: First make a layer of the vegetables. Add fried noodles on top and pour the hot sauce on top of the noodles. Indianized American Chop Suey is Ready!!

Dinner’s ready. The crunchy noodles had to be hidden cause the son couldn’t keep his hands off them!

This Indian-Chinese “American Chop Suey” (Shouldn’t we be thankful it does not involve more countries;) ) is headed to DK of DK’s Culinary Bazaar for AWED Chinese. This is the main course……….a complete meal in itself. Hence it is also headed to Archana of Archana’s Kitchen for Monthly One dish Meal event. Enjoy!!

Preparation time for this would be about 20 minutes and cooking time would be 25 minutes.

Here’s Hot and Sour Soup

This is a big favorite in  the house with “Indian Chinese” food. So, here’s a soup- Chinese but completely Desi. Credit for this recipe goes to Mrs. Minocha of Aurangabad, India who taught us to cook Indian Chinese food. A lot of my friends and I have learnt some good cooking from her.

The Recipe:

• Green Bell Pepper 1 chopped coarse
• Cabbage 1/2 cup chopped thin
• carrots 2 cut into cubes
• Green Beans chopped into 2 ” lengths 1/2 cup
• cauliflower 2 flowerets broken into smaller pieces
• garlic 6-8 cloves minced
• Soya Sauce 4 Tbsp.
• Vinegar 1 Tbsp.
• sugar 1 tsp.
• Black pepper powder 1/2 tsp.
• Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp.
• Cornstarch 3 Tbsp.
• Vegetable Oil 1 tsp.
• Spring onions 1 bunch chopped fine
• Boiled egg whites 2 chopped (optional)
• Salt to taste

Getting ready for the soup

Heat the oil and fry garlic for a minute.

Add cauliflower, french beans and carrots. Fry a little more till they soften a wee bit.

Add red chili powder and 6 cups of water. Let the water come to a boil and then add soya sauce, sugar, vinegar, bell peppers and cabbage. Boil the soup for a couple of minutes more.

Lastly add spring onion and black pepper powder. Make a paste of cornstarch in cold water and and add to the soup. Taste for salt and vinegar. Add more if desired and serve hot.

Bow when you are praised;)

The soup’s hot!!

I would like to send this as an entry to Eat Healthy – Fiber Rich, an event hosted by Sangeeth.

And yes, this is also my entry to Fortune Cooking Contest hosted by Nithu & Shriya. It is dedicated to my mother whose sun sign is cancer, hence she qualifies with the cauliflower entry and she loves the soup too.

Now, are there any other events missing my entries??

Indian Chinese Menu for the JIHVA

Bell Peppers, Tofu and a budding cook’s hand

In everyday Hindi, Jihva means tongue. This week, my jihva has been devoid of taste, thanks to a lingering cold. So, the jihva needed something really spicy to perk it up. And, this month’s VOW-JFI hosted by Pooja of The Creative Ideas calls for bell peppers. This is my entry for the two year completion of Jihva started by Indira of Mahanandi.

Excuse for me to cook up something Chinese (only in the US, I realized that there is an authentic Chinese also;) , otherwise our Desi Chinese was Chinese food to me:) ) I can’t think of “Indian Chinese” food without capsicums (bell peppers, got carried away to India again) So, tonight’s menu is Hot and sour soup, Chilli Tofu Fry and Rice!

Here’s Chili Tofu Fry for you. Well, I know you sort of make it too, but try this too……….oh please try it. Its good you know, its been experimented upon, its the best……….it is ………..try it please.

now what do you want me to beg…………

OK, people , try it if you feel like:)

The Recipe:

• Tofu Extra Firm 3 slabs chopped in cubes
• Green Bell Peppers 2 chopped lengthwise thin
• Garlic 6 cloves minced
• Spring Onions 4 chopped fine
• Vegetable Oil 1 tsp.
• Soya Sauce 4 Tbsp.
• Black Pepper Powder 1/2 tsp.
• sugar 1 Tbsp.
• Cornstarch 1 Tbsp.

All chopped up

Place the tofu pieces on a greased baking sheet and spray some on the tofu as well. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes. Turn over and bake for 10 minutes more.

Baked Tofu

Spread the julienned bell pepper on the baking tray and spray some oil on it too. Bake at 400 degrees F till they are crisp on the sides.

Crispy bell pepper

Heat the oil and fry garlic till it turns light brown. I had to run around my son as he ran away with the spoon. So, mine were dark brown but that was fine too:)

Add 1-1/2 cups of water and increase the heat to high. Once the water starts boiling add soya sauce, sugar and tofu pieces. Next add bell peppers, spring onions and black pepper powder.

Make a solution of cold water and cornstarch.  Add to the tofu chilli fry and its ready! Best served immediately. OR the sauce can be made ready and then add the tofu and bell pepper and heat just before serving.

Tastes great with rice , though my son ate it with roti as his mother refused to make any other curry. The Husband was pleased, now what else do I want in life, huh?

Tofu Chilli Fry is ready….now, will you try it…….please….