I have days where I intensely miss California, especially the chow mein. Usually, it means I’m missing my family, but other times I crave the food. What I wouldn’t give for an In N Out burger or a 007 sushi roll from Miyako! I really miss authentic fish tacos and spicy Asian food. But necessity is the mother of invention, so I have come up with a few recipes that taste enough like my favorite restaurants back home that I can quiet my palate a bit longer.
A Loaded Vegetable Chow Mein Recipe
Whenever I crave going to my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant, I make this loaded vegetable chow mein. It’s surprisingly easy to make and fairly healthy. Sometimes I use it as a side dish, but it is hearty enough to be a great vegetarian dinner option.
Step 1: Prepare the Wok
Start with a deep wok and some sesame oil. Pour in about 1 tablespoon.
Throw in a medium-sized onion that is cut into slivers. Cook these for about 3-4 minutes or until softened.
Step 2: Vegetable Prep
Now add some broccoli. Trim the heads down into bite-sized pieces. I usually add about 1 1/2 cups, or whatever a medium-sized broccoli head yields. Stir regularly and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Add a cup of shredded carrots. Save yourself a lot of prep time and just buy the bag that is already shredded for you. Mix it again and cook for a minute or two.
Dice 3 green onions. Put in 2 of the green onions and save the rest to top the dish at the end. Stir and cook another minute. You may need to drizzle in another tablespoon of sesame oil if you notice your vegetables charring.
Now for another difficult step…just kidding…open up a bag of pre-shredded cole slaw. You can also chop up a head of napa cabbage if your grocery store doesn’t have the pre-made bags.
Step 3: Season the Veggies
Pour in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of lower sodium soy sauce. Mix it up as you watch the cabbage wilt, probably a minute or two.
Now add a tablespoon of Hoisin sauce. This can be found in the international section of the market or online.
It is very salty, so start with 1 tablespoon and taste as you mix. If you want more of a punch, add some more.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles
These stir-fry noodles are my best friend. I can rip open the bag and add as much as I want. If your market doesn’t have this brand, you can use rice noodles or udon noodles as well. The only issue is that you may have to cook the noodles to package instructions ahead of time.
Step 5: Spice It Up
Here’s where it gets spicy! Sriracha sauce is absolutely necessary in this dish! Even if you are not a spice fan, just add a dab for flavor. Me? I pour that stuff on! You’ll find it right next to the stir-fry noodles and Hoisin sauce. But for the kids, I add a tablespoon and then add more to my personal plate after I serve them.
Step 6: Serve
When it is all served up, I top the dish with a few more green onions. I guarantee you will love this! If you have a holiday gathering, church function, or office party coming up, consider taking this. You will save a lot of time and really spice up the snack table.
I still get cravings for my hometown chow mein noodles, but these suffice until I can make a trip home to SoCal. Most of the time, I serve the chow mein as a hearty vegetarian main course, but it’s a great accompaniment to my 5 Ingredient Crockpot Orange Chicken or Ginger Chicken Stir-fry with Asparagus.
Final Thoughts
I pack my recipe full of veggies and spice it up or down depending on whom I’m serving. It also makes for great leftovers! For more easy dinner ideas, visit my Blog or follow me on Pinterest! Happy cooking y’all!
