CHINESE COOKING: "Chow" is Chinese word for stir-frying while "mein" refers to noodles. So this recipe is just the basic technique in cooking noodles, meat & vegetables together. Based on that, you can use your own preference to put everything together.

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN:

 

 

 

 

8 oz. Chinese noodles, or thin spaghetti

½ lb. skinned, boned chicken breast

seasoning for chicken:

    ½ tsp. each salt, rice wine or dry sherry                              

    ½ tsp tapioca or corn starch

    ½ egg white                                                 

    ¾ tsp. sugar                                                 

    1 tbsp. cooking oil

veggie mix:

    ½ cup each bamboo shoots & onion, shredded

    1 cup each bean sprouts &1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

                                           

3 tbsp. chicken broth

seasoning for noodles;  ½ tsp. salt & dash of sugar + 2 tbsp. dark soy sauce

cooking oil

 

 

 

Cut chicken meat into strips, season with seasoning ingredients and let stand 30 minutes.

 

Bring water to a boil and cook noodles or spaghetti until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, toss noodles with 2 tsp. cooking oil and 1 tsp. salt 

 

In a wok or non-stick saucepan over high heat, heat oil until very hot. Cook chicken until just cooked. Remove with a slotted spoon.

 

Heat wok until hot again; add a little more oil, stir-fry bamboo shoots, onion, and mushroom for 3 minutes to soften; then add bean sprouts, chicken broth and salt. Cook mixture for 1-2 minutes. Remove vegetables from wok and drain.

 

Heat 2 tsp. oil until hot; then add in noodles, tossing and cooking for 3 to 4 minutes to heat through. Adding in seasoning ingredients, tossing well to coat. Return chicken and vegetables to wok and stir-fry together for 1-2 minutes more.  Serve immediately. 

 

 

 

 

 

VARIATIONS: Any noddles--wheat noodles, dry vermicelli noodles, fresh rice noddles, can be used

 

Pork Chow Mein:   Substitute ½ lb. sliced and shredded pork.

 

Shrimp Chow Mein:  Substitute ½ lb. fresh shrimp.

 

Beef Chow Mein:  Substitute ½ cup shredded frank steak.

 

Vegetable Chow Mein:  Omit meat and use canned baby corn, broccoli florets, sliced celery, or other vegetables of choice, to cook with noodles.