Forget the turkey, goose or other roasted items gracing the holiday table. We Jews have our own tradition for festive meals on Christmas; Chinese food! The history of Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas comes from the late 1800’s when Chinese restaurants were typically the only places open on Christmas (many Chinese are Buddhist) and welcomed Jews who were looking for an outing on the Christian holiday. The Chinese restaurants also did not discriminate and allowed Jews to patronize their restaurants.

While many neighborhood Chinese restaurants are not serving the unique and exotic flavors that tempted Jews years ago, I still crave the Asian delicacies. I am also never one to break with tradition and this year I will be firing up the wok in my home.

Modern Chop Suey

Chop Suey was once a Chinese dish that was made over in an effort to appeal to Western tastes. Currently the dish is passé. I am on a one-chef campaign to bring it back en vogue. What is out is in again and chop suey is no exception. I am also intrigued by the kitsch of the dish, so I offer you my chop suey makeover for your Christmas dinner.

Essential Sauce No. 1

1 cup chicken stock

1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms

2 scallions, sliced thinly

2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly

1 tablespoons grated fresh ginger

1 star anise

2 teaspoons spicy Asian chili paste (optional)

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons corn starch

Chop Suey

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

8 ounces chicken, turkey or beef, sliced thinly

8 ounces fresh Shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced thinly

4 ounces oyster or other exotic mushrooms, sliced thinly

4 scallions, sliced thinly

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

3 cloves garlic, chopped

½  cup snow peas

½  cup green beans, cut into 2 inch pieces

Canned baby corn, drained and rinsed

Bamboo shoots, drained and rinsed

1 small head of bok choy, chopped

Cilantro leaves and bean sprouts for garnish

Bring the chicken stock to a simmer and add the dried shiitake mushrooms, scallions, garlic, ginger and star anise and chili paste. Turn off the heat and allow the mushrooms to soften for 20 minutes.

1. Remove the mushrooms and slice thinly. Add the mushrooms back to the chicken stock mixture. Add the soy sauce and sugar and bring to a simmer.
2. Whisk the corn starch in a bowl with cold water. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and allow the mixture to thicken. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Heat a large wok or sauté pan over high heat. Add the canola and sesame oils. Add the chicken or turkey to the pan. Cook stirring frequently until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the remaining ingredients and stir fry quickly until lightly browned, but still leaving the vegetables crispy. Add back the chicken to the pan and pour some of the Essential Sauce No. 1 over the stir fry.

Serve the chop suey over steamed rice and garnish with bean sprouts and fresh cilantro leaves.

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