How to make Chow mein

Chow mein is a popular Chinese stir-fried noodle dish that's enjoyed worldwide, with various regional adaptations. Here's a basic recipe for making vegetable chow mein:

Ingredients:

For the Noodles:

• 200 grams of chow mein noodles (or any thin egg noodles)
• Water for boiling
• 1 teaspoon oil

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (you can use red, green, or yellow)
• 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced broccoli florets (optional)
• 1/4 cup snow peas (optional)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Green onions or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Boil the Noodles: 

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a teaspoon of oil to prevent the noodles from sticking.
• Boil the chow mein noodles until they are just tender, typically for about 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking; you want them slightly undercooked.
• Drain the noodles, rinse them with cold water, and set them aside.

Prepare the Sauce: 

• In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set the sauce aside.

Stir-Fry the Vegetables: 

• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
• Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add the sliced onions, carrots, and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.

Add the Remaining Vegetables: 

• Add the cabbage, mushrooms, broccoli, and snow peas (if using). Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

Add Noodles and Sauce: 

• Add the cooked and drained noodles to the stir-fried vegetables.
• Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and veggies.

Toss and Stir-Fry: 

• Toss everything together using tongs or two forks. Make sure the noodles are well-coated with the sauce and that the vegetables are evenly distributed.

Garnish and Serve: 

• Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro (if desired).
• Serve your vegetable chow mein hot and enjoy!

You can customize your chow mein by adding protein like chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beef, depending on your preferences. Just cook the protein separately and add it to the stir-fry as needed.