If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine, you’re in for a treat! Triple Delight Chinese food is a mouthwatering dish that combines a trio of ingredients to create a symphony of flavors.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into what makes this dish so unique, how to make it, and various aspects surrounding it. So, grab your chopsticks and get ready for a culinary adventure!
What is Triple Delight?
Triple Delight, also known as Three Cup Chicken, is a Chinese-American dish that combines sautéed chicken, shrimp, pork, and assorted vegetables in a brown sauce. The name “Triple Delight” refers to the trio of meats used in the dish.
While the exact origins of Triple Delight are unclear, it likely emerged in Chinese restaurants in America as a combination of popular ingredients to appeal to American tastes. The dish takes inspiration from San Bei Ji, a classic Sichuan garlic and chili sauce-based chicken stir fry.
Triple Delight also builds on this idea by incorporating shrimp and pork, making for a hearty, protein-packed meal. The result is a flavorful mélange of tender meat and crisp-tender vegetables enveloped in a dynamic brown sauce.
Ingredients in Triple Delight
Triple Delight brings together a symphony of flavors and textures. Here are some of the main ingredients that go into this dish:
Proteins
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- Shrimp – Medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Pork – Sliced lean pork cut into thin strips
Vegetables
- Onions – Sliced yellow onions
- Bell peppers – Colorful julienned bell peppers
- Mushrooms – Sliced button or crimini mushrooms
- Garlic – Minced garlic
- Ginger – Freshly grated ginger
Sauce Ingredients
- Chicken broth – Provides flavorful base
- Soy sauce – For salty umami flavor
- Oyster sauce – Adds richness
- Rice vinegar – Bright, acidic touch
- Sesame oil – Nutty aroma and flavor
- Cornstarch – Thickens sauce
Aromatics
- Green onions – Sliced for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds – For topping
This combination of ingredients brings many exciting flavors and textures to the plate. The sauce ingredients balance salty, sweet, sour, and aromatic flavors to create a complex, addictive taste sensation.
How is Triple Delight Prepared?
Cooking Triple Delight involves a few simple steps:
Prep the Ingredients
Cut the ingredients of chicken, shrimp, pork, vegetables, aromatics, and sauce. You want uniform, bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking.
Cook the Protein
Start by velveting the chicken – coating it in a cornstarch slurry for a silky texture. Stir fry the chicken over high heat until browned, then transfer to a plate. Do the same for the shrimp and pork, cooking each protein separately.
Sauté the Vegetables
Heat more oil in the wok over high heat. Stir fry the onions first, then add the peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
Make the Sauce
Whisk together the sauce ingredients – broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Pour into the wok and let bubble.
Toss Everything
Return the cooked chicken, shrimp, and pork to the wok. Toss to coat in the sauce and heat through, about 2 minutes.
Finish and Serve
Plate the Triple Delight and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately with rice!
What Does Triple Delight Taste Like?
So, what can you expect from the taste of Triple Delight? Here are the dish’s main flavor notes:
- Savory-sweet – The soy and oyster sauce create a more savory-sweet backbone.
- Aromatic – Sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and scallions provide a warming aromatic essence.
- Umami-rich – Multiple umami ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, and mushrooms make it mouthwateringly savory.
- Sweet-sour – Rice vinegar contributes brightness to balance out the sweetness.
- Optional: Chili garlic sauce or pepper flakes can be added for spicy heat.
The combination of tender morsels of protein, crunchy vegetables, and shiny, savory-sweet sauce is utterly addictive. It’s no wonder Triple Delight is regarded as a flavor sensation.
How to Make Triple Delight at Home
Want to enjoy Triple Delight from the comfort of your home? Here’s an easy recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 8 oz chicken breast, cubed
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz pork tenderloin, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp grated ginger
- 2 Tbsp oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- Green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep all ingredients and combine sauce ingredients.
- Velvet, the chicken in the cornstarch slurry.
- Stir fry chicken, shrimp, and pork separately until just cooked through. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a wok. Stir fry onions, peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and ginger.
- Whisk sauce and add to wok. Cook 1 minute.
- Return cooked protein to the wok and toss to coat.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve over rice. Enjoy!
Making Triple Delight at home allows you to customize it just how you like. Try swapping proteins, adding veggies, adjusting spice – the options are endless for this versatile stir fry.
What Else Can You Add To This Triple Delight Recipe?
One of the great things about Triple Delight is its customization adaptability. Here are some tasty add-ins to try:
- More vegetables – Broccoli, snap peas, carrots, baby corn etc. Bulk up the nutrition.
- Pineapple – Salty-sweet contrast, works well with pork.
- Cashews – Crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Water chestnuts – For extra crunch.
- Bamboo shoots – Complementary crunchy texture.
- Baby bok choy – Contrasting leafy green.
- Cilantro – Fresh herbal note.
- Chilies РJalape̱os, Thai chilies, etc for heat.
- Coconut milk – For a creamy, exotic twist.
- Curry powder – Hint of spice and complexity.
- Fish sauce – Adds umami depth.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with produce, nuts, herbs, and other ingredients to put your stamp on Triple Delight and amp up the flavors you love.
How Should I Serve Triple Delight?
This flavorful stir fry is versatile when it comes to serving options:
- Over rice – Steamed jasmine or sticky rice is perfect for soaking up the sauce.
- With noodles – Chow mein, pad thai noodles, lo mein all work nicely.
- In lettuce wraps – Spoon into lettuce leaves for low carb.
- With fried rice – Toss with garlic fried rice for texture contrast.
- On skewers – Alternate with veggies on skewers for a fun presentation.
- As a taco – Fill tortillas with Triple Delight for fusion flavor.
- With naan – Great on garlic naan for dipping in the sauce.
- As a pizza topping – Pile Triple Delight on pizza crust for an Asian twist.
However you serve it up, Triple Delight satisfies. Play with different vessels to find your favorite way to enjoy it!
Are Triple Delight Kids Friendly?
With its mild, sweet-savory flavor and fun mix of ingredients, Triple Delight can be a great kid-friendly introduction to Chinese cuisine. Here’s why kids will likely enjoy it:
- Familiar flavors – Soy sauce, sweet sauce, and sesame create accessible taste.
- Fun colors and textures – Appealing array of veggies, shrimp, and meat.
- Mild spice level – Easily adjusted down to avoid too much heat.
- Quick cooking time – Doesn’t require long simmering.
- Easy to eat – Can be served over rice, noodles, or on its own.
- Customizable – Add-ins like pineapple appeal to picky eaters.
- Healthy – Packed with protein and vegetables.
The key is starting mild and allowing kids to customize to their liking. With its adaptability, Triple Delight can be a winner for kids and grownups.
Is It Suitable For A Home Party?
With its crowd-pleasing taste and easy preparation, Triple Delight is fantastic for at-home parties and gatherings. Here’s why it works well:
- Makes excellent finger food – Easy to eat out of hand.
- Prep can be done ahead – Sauce and prep can be done in advance.
- Quick cooking time – Stir fries up fast once guests arrive.
- Easy to scale up – Double or triple recipe as needed.
- Kid-friendly – Mild and customizable for young eaters.
- Avoid food allergies – Swap out shrimp for those with shellfish allergies.
- Festive presentation – The colorful medley looks bright and delicious.
- Interactive – Guests can customize additions to make their own.
Next time you host, impress hungry guests with sizzling woks of flavorful Triple Delight stir fry!
Is Triple Delight Good For Dieting?
With its lean protein and vegetable medley, Triple Delight can be a nutritious choice for specific diets when prepared properly. Here’s its compatibility with some popular diets:
- Gluten-free – Naturally gluten-free when using tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Paleo – Works if you skip cornstarch and use coconut aminos.
- Keto – Avoid sweeter sauces and starchy thickeners.
- Low carb – Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead.
- Low calorie – Use minimal oil and low-calorie sauces.
- High protein – Packed with protein-rich chicken, shrimp, pork.
- Vegetarian – Substitute tofu, chickpeas, or textured veggie protein.
- Vegan – Use vegan oyster sauce and mushroom broth.
With some simple substitutions, Triple Delight can suit a wide range of healthy eating patterns and diets. The customizable stir fry makes nutritious eating delicious.
Conclusion
From its mouthwatering trio of proteins to its crave-worthy savory-sweet sauce, Triple Delight represents some of the best of Chinese cuisine.
This versatile stir fry is a party for your tastebuds. With some simple tips and ingredient tweaks, you can recreate this flavor sensation at home for family meals or dinner parties.
So fire up your wok, grab some fresh ingredients, and delight in whipping up your own version of this beloved Chinese delight. Your tastebuds and guests will thank you!
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