Recipe Challenge #1

Quarantine cooking is a thing!  Who knew?  Out of boredom, we decided to do a weekly cooking challenge.  Taking turns, we would each choose a recipe we wanted to try.  We would each prepare, photograph, taste (of course!) and rate it.  When we got together via Zoom, we would compare notes. Sound fun?

First up was Lo Mein Noodles, from Nagi @ recipetineats.com, found via Pinterest.

Consensus? Great base recipe with options of changing up proteins, adding different/more veggies, or even going vegetarian. It’s also great for kinda ‘cleaning out the fridge’😉. Chopping time is longer than cooking time, which I consider a plus.  Other thoughts were to add a bit more flavor by upping the sauce quantity by 1-1\2 to 2 times, maybe using the whole onion, and a drizzle of Sriracha Is always a good thing.  It also makes great leftovers!

Let’s get cooking...

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 tbsp vegetable oil or peanut oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1/2 onion, finely sliced
• 10oz chicken or other protein, thinly sliced 
• 2 medium carrots, peeled & cut into 2” matchsticks
• 1 large red or bell pepper, sliced
• 6 green onions, cut into 2” pieces
• 1 lb. Lo Mein or other type of fresh noodles
• 1/4 cup water
• SAUCE:
• 4 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp white pepper

Instructions

1. Make sauce by mixing cornstarch & dark soy until lump free, then add remaining sauce ingredients. 
2. Season chicken by transferring 2 tsp sauce into bowl with chicken & tossing to coat.
3. Heat oil in a wok or large heavy based skillet over high heat until smoking.
4. Add onion and garlic, stir-fry 30 seconds.
5. Add chicken (or other protein) and stir-fry about 1 minute.
6. Add carrot and bell peppers; stir-fry 2 minutes or until chicken (protein) is cooked.
7. Add noodles, sauce and water; toss for 30 seconds.
8. Add green onions; toss for another minute until all the noodles are coated with sauce.
9. Garnish with additional sliced green onion, if desired, and serve immediately.
10. Enjoy!