Best Basic Old Fashioned Chow Mein Recipes

AUTHENTIC CHINESE PORK CHOW MEIN

Steps:

• Cut meat into thin strips.
• Combine 2 tbsp cornstarch with sugar, blend in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp oil; mix to blend.
• Pour over pork strips; toss well to coat, marinade in mixture for 20 minutes.
• In a wok or large saute pan heat 2 tablespoons shortening; brown the meat lightly on all sides in hot shortening (after browning the pork you may add in chopped garlic and saute for 2 minutes if desired).
• Add remaining 4 tbsp soy sauce and 1-1/2 cups water; simmer, covered on low heat for 45 minutes.
• Add in the celery and onions; simmer for 15 minutes more.
• In a small bowl, blend in remaining cornstarch with 1/4 cup water; stir into meat mixture.
• Add molasses, water chestnuts, bean sprouts and mushrooms; heat thoroughly.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted almonds.

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine oyster sauce, granulated sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, chicken broth and cornstarch. Set aside.
• Cook your noodles according to package instructions then drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
• Heat a large wok or pan with olive oil over medium-heat. Cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized strips and cook them in the oil until golden brown. Remove strips and set aside.
• Add carrots, cabbage and pressed garlic and saute for a few minutes until veggies are slightly softened and the cabbage is a bit translucent.
• Add chicken and noodles back into the pan. Pour sauce over the top and continue cooking all the ingredients together for another 2 minutes.
• Garnish your chow mein with chopped green onions and serve the noodles straight from the pan and piping hot!

BEEF CHOW MEIN

Steps:

• Bring 8 cups unsalted water to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart pot, then add noodles, stirring to separate, and cook 15 seconds. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until noodles are cool, then shake colander briskly to drain excess water.
• Cut steak with the grain into 1 1/2- to 2-inch-wide strips. Cut each strip across the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices and put in a medium bowl. Using your hands, toss beef with sugar, sesame oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Let beef marinate at room temperature while preparing remaining ingredients.
• Stir together remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1/4 teaspoon white pepper in a small bowl until smooth, then stir in chicken broth.
• Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within 1 to 2 seconds of contact, then add 1/2 cup peanut oil and heat until just smoking. Carefully add noodles all at once, flattening top to form a 9-inch cake. Cook until underside is golden, 4 to 5 minutes, rotating noodle cake with a metal spatula to brown evenly and lifting edges occasionally to check color. Carefully flip noodle cake over with spatula and tongs, then cook, rotating cake, until other side is golden, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer noodle cake to a large paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Discard any oil remaining in wok and wipe out wok with paper towels.
• Transfer drained noodle cake to a platter and loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
• Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within 1 to 2 seconds of contact. Pour 1 tablespoon peanut oil down side of wok, then swirl oil, tilting wok to coat sides. Add beef, spreading pieces in 1 layer on bottom and sides as quickly as possible. Cook, undisturbed, letting beef begin to brown, 1 minute, then stir-fry until meat is just browned on all sides but still pink in center, about 1 minute. Transfer meat and any juices to a plate.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to wok over high heat. When oil just begins to smoke, add ginger and garlic and stir-fry 5 seconds, then add scallions and stir-fry 30 seconds. Add mushrooms and stir-fry until softened, about 3 minutes. Add choy sum and stir-fry until leaves are bright green and just wilted, 2 to 3 minutes (if using broccoli, cook until almost crisp-tender). Stir broth mixture, then pour into wok and stir-fry until sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add beef and stir to coat. Return mixture just to a boil, then pour over noodle cake.
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GROUND BEEF CHOW MEIN

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Add the broth, celery, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, mushrooms, pimientos, soy sauce and ginger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. , In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Gradually stir into skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with rice.

EASY CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

Steps:

• In a large pot, saute celery in oil for apx 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
• Add bean sprouts (if using), mushrooms, water chestnuts, and chicken.
• In a large bowl, blend cornstarch with water.
• When smooth, add chicken broth and soy sauce to bowl.
• Mix well and pour over meat and vegetables.
• Bring to a boil, stirring until sauce thickens.
• Reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
• Serve over hot, cooked rice and chow mein noodles.