Veg Chow mein / vegetable Chow mein recipe

Chow mein is a popular Chinese stir-fried noodle dish, typically made with vegetables, meat (like chicken, beef, or shrimp), and a flavorful sauce. Here’s a simple recipe for making delicious Chow Mein at home:

Ingredients for Chow mein

For the noodles:

• 200g (7 oz) Chow Mein noodles.
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking noodles)

For the stir-fry:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (any color)
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded (or Napa cabbage if available)
• 1/2 cup bean sprouts (optional)
• 2-3 green onions, chopped (separate white and green parts)

Protein (optional):

• 200g (7 oz) cooked chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu (if using)

For the sauce:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian oyster sauce)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional, for sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance flavor)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (for a nutty flavor)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (for a touch of acidity)
• 1/4 cup water or broth (to adjust consistency)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the noodles:
   • Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions (usually boiling for 3-4 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the sauce:
   • In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, and water (or broth). Stir until sugar dissolves and set aside.
3. Stir-fry the vegetables:
   • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Add the minced garlic and ginger (if using) and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
   • Add the carrots, bell pepper, and cabbage. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. You can add the bean sprouts and white part of the green onions towards the end of this step.
4. Add the protein (if using):
   • If you’re using cooked chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu, add it to the wok and stir to combine with the vegetables.
5. Combine noodles and sauce:
   • Add the cooked noodles to the wok with the vegetables and protein. Pour the sauce over everything and toss well to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the noodles are heated through and well-coated with the sauce.
6. Finish and serve:
   • Garnish with the green part of the chopped green onions.
   • Serve hot!

Tips:

• For crunch: Add some crushed peanuts or cashews on top for an extra crunch.
• For spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some chili sauce to give it a spicy kick.
• For variety: Feel free to mix and match veggies based on what you have, like mushrooms, snap peas, or bok choy.

Enjoy your homemade Chow Mein! It’s a versatile dish, so you can adjust the ingredients based on your preferences.

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