Chinese sundaes have got to be the single best meal to literally make anyone and everyone happy. (If they are VEGAN, make a separate gravy without the chicken and add TOFU or plant-based protein.) They can also add tofu or more as a topping. Ok (that will be the last I bring that topic up).
Chinese sundaes were a staple when I was growing up. And it was a comfort food dish that was fun to share with my own kids. They, of course, loved it and have been enjoying it for decades further. It is a favorite request for the Birthday Dish (even into their twenties) when the family is to get together.
This is fun for 1 (and if you are a single person living alone, it will feed you all week—and you can mix it up enough to keep it “real”). It is great for 2 to literally 100 (or more) as well. We have facilitated birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and even football team get-together events with this dish.
I’ll mention that our wine (exclusively from our Wine of the Month Club) made an incredible pairing. I’ll feature it below, as it really enhanced this simple dish and all the ingredients. Talk about an event of deliciousness when the wine and Chinese sundaes were enjoyed together.
Chinese Sundaes
Main Ingredients:
- Chow Mein Noodles.
- Cream of Chicken Soup (We only use Campbell’s and like the “with Herbs”).
- Chicken. Rotisserie, Canned, or Chicken Breasts you Cook and Dice and add in.
- Cooked White Rice. (Yes, you can use brown rice or any other rice to your liking.) I usually use Jasmine.
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend works).
Now, just the Main Ingredients by themselves are incredible—and “Comfort Food.” They also represent the “BASE” of this dish.
Now for the toppings. Chinese sundaes are where limitations are literally out the window when it comes to the masterpiece they can become. Each to the taste and blend of tastes for the person. Again—adding in a great Chenin Blanc (which is light and slightly fruity) to the mix and BOOOOM! An event full of tastes and enhanced flavors.
Toppings (though you can add in about anything else too). Suggestions for what we use on Chinese Sundaes include:
- Diced Celery
- Shredded or Diced Carrots
- Diced Water Chestnuts
- Almond Slivers (or pieces)
- Walnut Pieces
- Cashew Pieces (Note… the bigger the party, the more options—not all nuts are for all people, after all.) And sometimes the right nut makes all the difference for the person enjoying this meal.
- Sliced olives (you may need more than you think). Black, green. One or both options. They change the tastes. Love them both!
- Pineapple (this is a must for me): crushed, chunks, or tidbits. All work, and if a huge party, have a few choices. I usually drain the juice, but with the crushed, the added juice will blend in with the melted cheese and gravy. Yummy.
- Raisins
- Craisins
- Sunflower Seeds
- Shredded Lettuce (this is one that usually makes those having thirds feel better about it)
- Shredded Cheese (same as what is listed in the Main Ingredients—but placed here so it is not forgotten).
- Chia Seeds
- Diced raw onions (I never would use them—but some like it). Red. Yellow. Sweet Yellow. White. As a mix or as separate options.
- Diced Peppers. Green, red, orange, yellow. Mixed or as separate options.
- Bean Sprouts
- Bamboo Shoots (Diced or chopped)
- Corn (Cooked/Steamed Kernels)
- Peas (Cooked/Steamed)
- Cauliflower (Diced or Chopped)
- Mandarin Oranges (yes, these are incredible in this dish)
- Diced Granny Smith Apples (latest in our tries—and it was awesome)
- And of course, maraschino cherries. You may want to have a backup jar.
Preparing this Delicious Dish:
First, prepare the main ingredients. This is something that can be done quickly or with savor. I’ll itemize it here.
The “Gravy.” This is the MAIN “MAIN” ingredient. If you are missing the other ingredients, this can still work. But without the gravy, this is no longer a Chinese sundae. This is taking the cans of soup and heating them over the stove. Instead of using “water,” which is suggested on the can, use 1/2 the amount suggested and replace the water with milk. Simple. This will be a thicker gravy this way. Then salt and pepper to taste as you add in the chicken.
If you are using canned chicken, add it in from the get-go. And allowing it to simmer for a bit is great. When using rotisserie chicken, add it immediately as well. If you are using chicken breasts (uncooked), be sure to precook them, cut the chicken up, and add it to the gravy. You can also make this in a Crock-Pot and have it simmering all day. If making this for an army, several crockpots can be going, and you can knock out lots of gravy and have it ready for the troops come mealtime.
Then cook the rice (so it is ready in time for dinner). Rice cookers are nice as they can keep it hot for a good period of time once cooked. And instant rice works for this dish as well.
Typically, the gravy and the rice are the only items to cook.
Preparations for Chinese Sundaes for Vegans/Vegetarians.
Tofu. Medium to firm, cooked (usually in broth or cream of chicken soup to carry the taste). If needed for guests. When catering for this, I suggest you make 2 sets of the “gravy.” One with the chicken, one with the tofu, or tofu on the side with a “gravy” made with the chicken excluded.
Let’s dish these Chinese sundaes up!
Suggested Layers:
- Start with the chow mein noodles. This is going to produce some of the crunch. Plus, the more gravy and melted cheese that are added to them, the better they taste. Just wait, and with the first forkful you will understand where I am coming from.
- Next is the rice. Layered over the chow mein noodles. As little or as “a lot” as you so desire.
- Then add some grated cheese.
- Then add in the gravy. This is going to MELT the cheese into the rice and noodles.
- I suggest even more cheese on top of the gravy.
- Now move to the other ingredients, “the toppings.” Adding them as you desire.
For those not sure about some ingredients, they can try a few and add more or less on the next round. This is a dish you can have small portions and try different combinations with, or just pile it high and dig in.
To see a fully dished-up version of this, see the video below. We featured this in our “TheWineAndDineShow.com” on Wednesday, July 15th, 2020. More details on this in our Wine Magic section.
We share recipes that share blending our fine wines with foods. See the episode that features this dish here:
Chinese Sundaes with Parables in White—Welcome to Your Online Community
Looking for wine pairing information and education. Check out our Wine Magic details here.
