Chow mein is just the Chinese term for ‘fried noodles’, so it’s not surprising that there are countless variations. Wholeheartedly adopted overseas, and often the default order from a takeaway menu, it’s so easy to make your own version at home. Your stomach will thank you for it, as the home-made version is much less likely to be greasy.
Serves 2 | Takes 20 minutes to make, 12 minutes to cook
INGREDIENT
200g fresh standard thick wheat noodles (lo mein) or 125g dried, or you can use medium egg noodles
2 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, about 250g total weight, cut into small strips
3 tbsp groundnut oil
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
100g mangetouts, julienned
1 large carrot, julienned
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp golden caster sugar
1 tsp white pepper
100g beansprouts, topped and tailed
2 spring onions (green and white parts), sliced diagonally into rings
For the marinade
1 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp cornflour
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
½ tsp white pepper
HOW TO COOK CHICKEN CHOW MEIN
Prepare the noodles according to the packet instructions. Set aside.
Mix together the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat, then set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
Heat a wok or deep frying pan on a high heat until you can feel the waves of heat coming from it with the palm of your hand. Add the groundnut oil to the wok followed by the garlic and stir-fry for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
Add the chicken and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until it loses its translucency (it will be cooked outside but not yet inside), then add the mangetouts and carrot. Keep the heat high and stir-fry for another minute.
Add the noodles, soy sauces, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper and 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir and toss everything for a couple more minutes, then add the beansprouts and spring onions and stir again to incorporate. Serve immediately in pasta dishes, with chopsticks.
Cook’s tip
You can use pretty much any vegetables you have to hand – try cabbage, peppers or mushrooms – as long as you cut them into similar-sized pieces so they will cook in the same time. You could also use ham or peeled prawns instead of chicken, or keep it entirely vegetarian and add strips of omelette instead.
