Happy Family is a beloved American-Chinese stir-fry that lives up to its name, bringing together a diverse mix of ingredients in perfect culinary harmony. This satisfying one-dish meal is packed with protein and vegetables, making it a nutritious and delicious option for any family dinner. Served best with steamed rice, this dish is a fantastic way to enjoy a balanced and flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
At its core, the Happy Family stir-fry boasts a rich and savory Asian brown sauce. The depth of flavor comes from a combination of various sauces, creating a truly robust and unforgettable taste. You’ll need a large wok or a wide pan to comfortably toss all the ingredients and ensure even cooking without overcrowding. Let’s dive into how to create this family-favorite dish.
Given the extensive list of ingredients, you might not have everything on hand. Don’t worry! Feel free to customize this recipe based on what you have available. The key elements to maintain are the aromatic base and the brown sauce, as these are crucial to the signature Happy Family flavor.
This recipe is designed to feed a generous crowd, perfect for a family gathering or meal prepping for the week. Like most stir-fries, it cooks quickly over high heat, so preparation is key. Ensure all your ingredients are chopped, measured, and within reach before you begin cooking. Vegetables are added in stages to ensure they remain crisp-tender, avoiding a soggy texture. Nobody wants mushy vegetables in their stir-fry!
Happy Family Stir-Fry
Most of the ingredients are readily available in standard grocery stores. You can usually find water chestnuts and baby corn in the international aisle. For straw mushrooms, check your local Asian market, but feel free to substitute with shiitake or any other mushroom you prefer. Interestingly, many regular grocery stores now carry a wider selection of Asian mushrooms in the fresh produce section. All the essential sauces can be found at an Asian grocery store, ensuring authentic flavor.
TIPS FOR THE BEST HAPPY FAMILY STIR-FRY
Thin Soy Sauce: This is your standard, everyday soy sauce, providing a salty base. Kikkoman is a popular brand. With thin soy sauce in the recipe, you likely won’t need to add any extra salt.
Thick/Sweet Soy Sauce: This soy sauce is thicker, darker, and sweeter than thin soy sauce, with a consistency similar to molasses. ABC brand Kicap Manis (sweet soy sauce) is a great choice. It adds both sweetness and a beautiful dark color to the dish.
Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce is irreplaceable for its unique umami flavor. Brand selection matters significantly. Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand oyster sauce is highly recommended for its authentic taste. Avoid generic oyster sauces from regular grocery store ethnic aisles as they can drastically alter the flavor profile. Once you have oyster sauce, explore other Asian-inspired dishes like baby kailan in oyster sauce or mushrooms in oyster sauce. It’s also a fantastic addition to noodle dishes.
Sesame Oil: Sesame oil is used as a finishing touch, not for cooking. A drizzle at the end enhances the stir-fry with a wonderful smoky aroma. Kadoya sesame oil is a favored brand for its rich flavor.
With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to creating a delicious and authentic Happy Family stir-fry. Happy cooking!
Close-up shot of Happy Family Stir-Fry in a wok, highlighting the glistening sauce and perfectly cooked ingredients.
Happy Family Stir-Fry Recipe
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
Meats
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lb beef, thinly sliced
- 6 large prawns, shelled, tail on
- 1/2 cup scallops
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup carrots, sliced
- 1/2 cup straw mushrooms, or substitute with shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, canned, drained and sliced
- 1 cup baby corn, halved or quartered if large
- 1/2 cup snow peas
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (green, yellow, red), chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
Aromatics
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons thin soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet/thick soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, oyster sauce, thin soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and sugar. Set aside. Prepare the cornstarch slurry in a separate small bowl.
- Sauté Aromatics and Meats: Heat a wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil). Once hot, sauté minced garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir-fry Meats: Add beef, chicken, prawns, and scallops to the wok. Stir-fry until beef is browned, chicken is no longer pink, and prawns turn pink. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Vegetables (except broccoli and green onions): Add carrots, straw mushrooms, water chestnuts, baby corn, snow peas, and bell peppers to the wok. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, tossing to combine with the meats.
- Pour in Sauce and Thicken: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the stir-fry. Stir well to coat all ingredients. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Then, pour in the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Add Broccoli and Green Onions: Add broccoli florets and green onions to the wok. Stir-fry for another minute, ensuring broccoli remains crisp-tender and green onions are slightly wilted.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the wok from heat. Drizzle with sesame oil and add a dash of black pepper. Mix well.
- Serve Hot: Dish out the Happy Family stir-fry and serve immediately over steamed rice.
Enjoy your homemade Happy Family Chinese Dish! It’s a delightful and customizable recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite.
