Homestyle Vegetable Chow Mein

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) whole wheat chow mein noodles 200g (7 oz) whole wheat chow mein noodles
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded cabbage 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional for non-vegetarian version) 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional for non-vegetarian version)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 1g)
• Carbohydrates: 50g (Sugar: 6g)
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the hot oil and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. 4.
   Add the sliced onion, julienned carrot, and red bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
5. 5.
   Add the shredded cabbage and bean sprouts to the wok. Continue stir-frying for another 2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
6. 6.
   Push the vegetables to one side of the wok and add the cooked chow mein noodles to the other side.
7. 7.
   Pour the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using) over the noodles and toss everything together until well combined.
8. 8.
   Drizzle the sesame oil over the noodles and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. 9.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.
10. 10.
    Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Whole wheat chow mein noodles — Cook the noodles until al dente to ensure they retain a slight chewiness. Overcooking can result in mushy noodles.
• Bean sprouts — Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly and pat them dry before adding them to the stir-fry. This helps maintain their crisp texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a non-vegetarian version, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or beef to the stir-fry.
• Customize the vegetable selection based on personal preference or seasonal availability.
• Adjust the amount of soy sauce and salt according to taste preference.
• Add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day, but the noodles may lose some of their crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Homestyle Vegetable Chow Mein as a standalone main course or as a side dish alongside other Chinese favorites such as General Tso's chicken or sweet and sour pork. Pair it with a side of steamed jasmine rice for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the dish with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro to add a pop of color. Serve the Chow Mein in a vibrant Asian-inspired bowl or plate to enhance its visual appeal.