Chow mein recipe | how to make perfect chow mein at home
RECIPE (2 servings)
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 small cabbage
5 green onions/spring onions
2 carrots
300g/11 oz noodles (preferably egg noodles)
4 tbsp oil
-sauce-
1.5 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce (regular or vegetarian)
3 cloves garlic grated
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp water
METHOD:
1. Thinly slice cabbage, carrots and white part of the green onions/spring onions. Slice the green part into 2 inch thick pieces
2. Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl before hand. This will make it easier while stir frying
3. Boil water and cook noodles 2 mins less than the package instructions. The noodles will cook further while stir frying so it’s important to undercook them
4. Strain the noodles and dunk it into cold water or rinse them until they are cold. This helps making the noodles stop cooking immediately. Strain out excess water and coat in some oil to prevent it from sticking
5. Heat a wok/pan on high heat and add some oil. Add the carrots and stir fry for 1 min
6. Next add the cabbage and stir fry for 1 min
7. Next add the white part of green onion/spring onions and mix well
8. Spread the veggies around the wok/pan so they can get a light char. Once the veggies are done, set it aside
9. Next add some oil and stir fry the noodles for 2-3 mins on high heat. This enhances the taste and gives it a wok tossed flavour. Use chopsticks or tongs to mix the noodles so they don’t break
10. Once the noodles stir fried well, add the veggies and mix well
11. Pour in the sauce and stir fry for 2 mins. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Some noodle brands are saltier than others
12. Switch off the flame, add green part of green onions/spring onions and a few drops of sesame oil. Enjoy!
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SUBSTITUTES:
• No scallions/spring onions?
Substitute with 1 small regular onion
• No oyster sauce?
Add 1/2 tsp soy sauce + 1/2 tsp sugar
• No dark soy sauce?
Skip it. It’s mainly added for colour. Your noodles will be a lot lighter without it
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TIPS:
• It’s important to not add salt to the vegetables. If you add salt they’ll release too much water and turn soggy
• Stir frying veggies on high heat gives it a light char while keeping it crunchy at the same time
• Different brands of noodles have different levels of salt, adjust the sauce depending taste
• Use Chinese brands of sauces for an authentic taste. I use Lee kum kee sauces in this video