Chow Mein {quick & easy}

Chow Mein {quick & easy}

Top this dish with a protein source, such as stir-fried shrimp, fried egg, or stir-fried shredded pork or chicken. I stir-fry the protein separately in a wok or large frying pan, remove the protein from the pan to fry the chow mein, and then add the protein back into the chow mein at the end.

Occasionally, when the vegetable blend seems to need a boost of sweetness, I add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey when I’m adding the fish sauce. I love using fish sauce as a sub for soy sauce, but you can easily use soy or tamari sauce for the fish sauce, or just add about 1/4 teaspoon more salt when seasoning the dish.

Just to refresh your options for creating zucchini noodles, you can peel them with a vegetable peeler, use a julienne slicer, or a vegetable slicer like this (also referred to as a spiralizer).

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (or more cooking oil)
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled, and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (140 g) sliced mushrooms (crimini or other), sliced
• 1 medium (400 g) cabbage (savoy or napa), shredded or sliced into thin strips
• 4 carrots (440 g) trimmed, peeled or julienned
• 2 large zucchini (300 g), peeled into noodles or julienned
• 2 large green onions, trimmed and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce (or add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt)
• 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper flakes (optional for heat; or hot sesame oil)
• salt and pepper

Method

1. Prepare all the veggies first—this meal cooks quickly. Having a mise en place with all your cut, chopped, and noodled veggies ready to toss in the pan will make this a breeze to whip up.
2. Preheat a large pan or wok on a medium heat.
3. Add the cooking oil and sesame oil to the pan.
4. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
5. Add the salt and mushrooms to the pan and cook for a few minutes, or until they begin to soften.
6. Add the carrots and cook for a minute or two, tossing to coat them.
7. Add the green onions and cabbage and cook for a minute or two. Your pan may be getting full, but the veggies will shrink as they cook.
8. Add the fish sauce, chili pepper, and any additional salt or pepper.
9. Finally, add the zucchini noodles and stir to fry for another minute or so.
10. Add any addition toppings such as fried egg, shrimp, chicken, or pork.
11. Serve warm. Store sealed for a few days in the refrigerator.

Servings: 4