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Vegetable Chow Mein Noodles

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These Vegetable Chow Mein Noodles are ready in less than 25 minutes, I kid you not!

Made with crispy broccoli and melt in your mouth cabbage, your gonna to love it!

Trust me, you won’t miss the meat with this one. It’s so satisfying, you’ll be craving the crispy broccoli and cabbage more than anything else. 

Once you learn to make this simple chow mein dish, you will be making it more often Guaranteed!

It’s my go to vegetarian dish, I just love this Broccoli CHOW MEIN!

I’m the type of lady that has to try every chow mein dish whenever we go to the chinese restaurants. I do this to compare really, just kidding.

Well kinda, I mean some restaurants do it right and others so wrong. Right? It’s not always easy to find a good chow mein these days. 

But with my recipe it’s foolproof, if you follow it to a tea you will be in Chow Mein Heaven!

So please skip the takeout tonight and learn to make this iconic dish in the comfort of your own home. Impress yourself, I know you can do it!

The brand I like to use can be seen below, it is very low in sodium!

The broccoli is tossed together in the most delicious asian inspired sauce. And the chow mein noodles are fried just a bit to give it the perfect amount of cripsyness. 

I use a combination of olive oil and sesame oil to fry my noodles, however you can use regular cooking oil if desired. That is what most restaurants use anyway, then a dash of sesame oil just for flavor. 

The hardest part about making homemade chow mein is “chopping those vegetables”. Once you have that part done, the rest comes together in a snap.

Actually being that this is a Vegetarian dish, it can be pulled together in less than 20 minutes.

I have experimented with a few chow mein recipes over the years and promise you your going to love this one.

Chow Mein is one of my favorite asian dishes, I will order it everytime I go to my favorite asian restaurant and I will also order it when I try new asian restaurants.

Some restaurants make their chow mein better than others, typically it has allot to do with the type of ingredients that are added to the noodles.

If you liked this dish, then stay tuned to this blog as I will be sharing my all time favorite recipe for seafood chow mein very soon, which contains fresh calamari and shrimp.

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

Notes: This recipe can also be made with just about any meat such as chinese pork, beef or shrimp.  Plus, if you like a little more heat to your dish then feel free to add more red pepper chili flakes or some fresh chili paste. You know make it your own 🙂 

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout, Vegetarian

Simple Chow Mein Recipe

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This Simple Chow Mein Recipe can be ready in less than 20 minutes, that is why it’ s so simple to make. 

Once you learn to make chow mein at home, you will be so pleased with yourself.

Just image it’s a busy weeknight or weekend.

Your exhausted and the last thing you want to do is slave in the kitchen all night to prepare a meal. 

Having the skills to make this basic chow mein will become invaluable to you! Once you learn the basics, you then can add other ingredients to it if you want.

Such as shrimp, chicken, beef etc. However sometimes this basic cabbage, carrot chow mein is enough!

Now if you don’t know already, I love CHOW MEIN! 

And i’m confident that anyone can make these Chow Mein noodles at home, it just takes the right technique and ingredients. 

I am the type of lady that has to try every Chow Mein dish at any new chinese restaurant. I do this to compare really, just kidding. Well kinda, I mean some restaurants do it right and others so wrong. Right?

My recipe is fool proof, follow it to a tea and you will be in Chow Mein Heaven! So skip the takeout tonight and learn to make this iconic dish yourself. Impress yourself, I know you can do it!

I can see you already, curled up on the couch with this BIG old plate of fresh homemade Chow Mein noodles to yourself! Go ahead you deserve it!

The hardest part about making homemade chow mein is “chopping those vegetables”. Once you have that part done, the rest of the recipe can then be pulled together in 15 minutes flat.

I have experimented with a few chow mein recipes over the years and promise you your going to love this one.

The cabbage and carrots are tossed together in the most delicious asian inspired sauce. And the chow mein noodles are fried just a bit to give it the perfect amount of cripsyness.

I use a combination of olive oil and sesame oil to fry my noodles, however you can use regular cooking oil if desired. That is what most restaurants use anyway, then a dash of sesame oil just for flavor.  

This recipe can also be made with just about any meat such as chinese pork, beef or shrimp. OR make it vegetarian and add some broccoli, cauliflower etc. 

Plus, if you like a little more heat to your dish then feel free to add more red pepper chili flakes or some fresh chili paste. You know make it your own 🙂 

Wanting to try some of my other asian inspired “Skip the takeout” dishes? 

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Spicy Beef Lo Mein Noodles

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Spicy Beef Lo Mein Noodles are made in a delicious sauce that your sure to enjoy. When it comes to Lo Mein noodles the sauce and cooking techniques are what’s is important. 

So please follow along to see how it’s made. First you will want to wash and prepare the vegetables, I like to use fresh broccoli, carrots, red peppers and snap peas with my beef lo mein.

Then I tend to look for gluten free lo mein noodles, use the ones that best suit you. 

Feel free to mix up the vegetables however remember fresh is always best.  Then the noodles will need to be softened in boiling water before cooking and seasoning them.

You can always add shrimp, tofu or chicken to these noodles in replace of beef if desired. And if you want to spice it up some, simply add more red chili paste or serve with sriracha sauce.  

The varieties of lo mein noodles are endless, so it’s good to experiment with the different brands to find your favorite.

Also you may want to add more soya sauce near the end. Just be sure to stir everything together well beforehand and tasting it before adjusting the flavor.

 


 

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Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout, Vegetarian

Vegetarian Lo Mein

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This vegetarian lo mein is packed with loads of veggies and super tasty noodles. Then it’s all tossed together in the most delicious sauce. 

Having experimented with a few lo mein recipes over the years I’m confident you will love this one. 

You can pretty much add whatever vegetables you have on hand for this stirfry.

However for my Vegetarian lo mein, I like to use carrots along with a red pepper, purple cabbage and snow peas. 

Then I will top that prepares lo mein with freshly sliced green onions and serve it right from the pot.

The most difficult part about making this dish would be “chopping the vegetables”.

However if you have a food processor you can allow it to do some of the chopping for you.

I like to use it to slice my carrots and cabbage. 

Once you have that part done then this whole recipe can then be pulled together in 15 minutes or less.

As for the sauce you want to be careful not to put too much sodium in it.

The lo mein noodles tend to have plenty of sodium in them.

So when using soya sauce to flavor be sure to use a low sodium kind or use way less than the what is specified in the ingredients.

Then there will be oyster sauce, ground ginger and sesame oil that will makes it perfect.

You can try teriyaki sauce instead of the oyster if prefered it will just give a slightly different flavor.

I love making my favorite takeout dishes at home, no longer do I order to my door.

When I can prepare these same dishes in a fraction of the time and cost at home I will do it.

That is not to say I do not go out to eat once in a while though.

Not to mention making these types of dishes at home are much healthier because you can be certain there are no msgs in it.

Notes: This recipe can also be made with just about any meat such as chinese pork, beef or shrimp. OR keep it vegetarian, which is also fantastic too!

Plus, if you like a little more heat to your dish then feel free to add more “red chili sauce” on the side. You know make it your own 🙂 

Meal prep idea: Have dinner for yourself and plate two meal preps for the week ahead.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

 

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Spicy Singapore Noodles

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These Spicy Singapore Noodles are made with rice noodles. And is a super simple and inexpensive recipe that can be ready in less than 15 minutes! 

My Black Pepper Shrimp recipe works well alongside this dish also.

With each bowl costs less than $2 dollars, you can defiantly indulged. 

What makes these noodles spicy is the addition of some red chili paste

SINGAPORE NOODLES 

  • Singapore noodles are a very popular street food in some parts of Asia. 
  • And are not made with flour like your typical noodles, rather they are made with rice. 

Plus, making them at home is nice because they can be ready in under 15 minutes!

So forget the takeout tonight and make this delicious dish  instead.

I used to order this often from my local Chinese restaurant, now I make it at home every time myself. 

WHAT GOES WELL IN SINGAPORE NOODLES

  • Shredded Chicken
  • Shrimp
  • Scallops
  • Tender pork, beef or lamb
  • Green Onions
  • Bamboo shoots

WHERE ARE SINGAPORE NOODLES FROM

As the name say’s it, they are said to have originated in Singapore, Hong Kong.

However today, despite its name. Some would argue that Singapore noodles are not solely from Singapore! Confusing eh?

Well not really, since Singapore is known to be the hub of many cultures.

Many of their dishes today have been influenced by many different types of foreigners over the centuries.

And so today you can find many different types of dishes eaten in Singapore.

These noodles are now well known worldwide, and are eaten by all types of people. 

WHAT’S SINGAPORE NOODLES

Singapore noodles are made with vermicelli rice noodles and bunch of seasonings. It is known for it’s sweet & savory curry flavor that has hints of  garlic, ginger and onions.

Which are all simmered in a chicken broth stock along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil.

I tried Singapore noodles for the first time a few years back and have been addicted ever since. 

Some are made with shrimp, chicken or chinese style pork, while others are vegetarian.

I made mine with eggs today which work fantastic too.

HOW ARE SINGAPORE NOODLES MADE

Singapore noodles are always made with rice vermicelli noodles, that are tossed in a delicious sauce typically in a hot wok. Along with vegetables, scrambled eggs and a meat of your choosing. 

Such as shrimp, chicken, pork or beef.

CAN YOU REHEAT SINGAPORE NOODLES

Yes, just make sure that you are cooking the eggs fresh again or whatever meat you choose to add.

CAN SINGAPORE NOODLES BE FROZEN

No, you do not want to freeze them because rice noodles do not freeze well.

SINGAPORE NOODLE SAUCE

  • Curry powder
  • Sweet Garlic Chili sauce or Red Pepper flakes
  • Soya Sauce
  • Sesame Oil
  • Chinese cooking wine 
  • White sugar

SPICY SINGAPORE NOODLES

I like to spice this dish up by adding in 1 tbsp of red chili paste, however you can omit that if you prefer a less spicer dish. 

HOW TO MAKE SINGAPORE NOODLES

Place the vermicelli rice noodles in a large pot and cover with chicken stock and bring to a boil, turn down the heat and let the noodles soak till soft.

Remove the cooked vermicelli noodles and set aside.

Wash your carrots and green onions and then julienne the carrots carefully with a knife and chop the onions then set those aside.

Meanwhile whisk together in a small bowl 2 tbsp of curry powder, sesame oil, minced garlic and ginger, soya sauce and red chili sauce.

Then add 1 tbsp of cooking oil to your wok along with the sliced onion and saute for one mixture then remove.

In the same wok ad 1 tbsp of oil again and scramble the eggs then set aside.

Add the julienned carrots into the pan/wok and all the other ingredients along with the “liquid sauce” mixture.

Stir fry till all the vegetables are soft yet crispy.

Toss back in the strained vermicelli noodles,

Sautéing till hot.

Top with fresh cilantro or green onions. Enjoy!

MORE TIPS:

  • You will want to start by scrambling the eggs first and then soaking the vermicelli noodles after in hot water.
  • Preparing the vegetables ahead of time is a good idea too, I used carrots so I just julienne them.
  • Feel like adding chicken, pork or shrimp, go ahead it’s amazing too! Just make sure you are cooking that separately, then adding it to the cooked vermicelli noodles. 
  • The varieties of vermicelli rice noodles are endless, so choose your favorite brand and let’s get to cooking this delicious recipe!
  • You may want to add more soya sauce near the end, stir everything together well and taste before adjusting the flavor.

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

SUCH AS THIS VERY POPULAR SPICY CHICKEN RAMEN!

OR CHINESE FRIED MUSHROOM RICE

OTHER FAVORITES!

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Chicken, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Spicy Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

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What makes Chicken Pad Thai different than other popular Thai dishes is the crushed peanuts and tamarind along with a few more important spices. 

This dish can be pulled together in under 30 minutes so follow along.

This recipe is inspired by my partner’s favorite Thai dish = Pad Thai!

Pad Thai is also one of Thailand’s most famous stir frys and whenever we go to any new Thai restaurant, it’s the first thing my Man will order.

I can hear it now, what do you two want to order. PAD THAI!!

I like Pad Thai too, it’s just I find most restaurants make it way to sweet and I much prefer recipes with a little bit of heat.

So I decided to create the same dish but with the addition of a little more heat to make it more suitable to my taste.

If you prefer a more sweet Pad Thai simply omit the red chilies. 

And well my partner in crime… he is just super happy I now make it for him at home.

If you prefer the more sweet Pad Thai recipes, then you can simly up the sugar in this recipe by 2 tbsp.

Which will make a dish quite similar to those restaurant style pad thai dishes.

After all it’s your Pad Thai and I want you to make it how you like it.

So what gives mine the extra heat? It’s the chili powder and the “red chili paste”. Easy enough eh?

HOW TO MAKE PAD THAI

Make sure you are using Tamarind Concentrate vs the paste.

You will know the difference because the concentrate is sold in small containers vs the paste which is actually a pulp and has to be soaked in water and strained prior to using.

 

When in doubt, just read the tamarind directions prior to purchasing.

If you love Thai food as much as me, then you will want to try my other thai dishes! All are AMAZING and really are some of the best ways to make Thai at home in a fraction of the time. 

Note:  Feel free to use shrimp in replace of the chicken or just enjoy it as is.

I’m thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

 

Date Night, Skip the takeout

Chinese Beef Pepper Steak

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Skip the takeout tonight and try this “Chinese Beef Pepper Steak” instead. 

It is absolutely delicious and so healthy for you. So feel free to indulge and sharing is not mandatory! 

I like good quality chinese food and will seek it out when the craving hits. 

I lean more towards those authentic type dishes than those americanized sweet ones.

This dish definitely delivers on those authentic flavors. 

So if your like me and prefer a more authentic stir fry too then you’re definitely going to want to add this recipe collection!

Sauteed in the most delicious sauce your family won’t believe this didn’t come from delivery.

So what is in that secret sauce anyway? Well it’s a simple combination of  oyster sauce, soya sauce, cornstarch, sugar, rice vinegar and some great spices.

You are sure to be reminded of your best dining experience at your favorite asian restaurant with this one.

Your wanting to use a fast fry steak here and simple marinade it for 15 minutes prior to ensure it is as tender as possible.

To do that slice the steak against the grain and marinade it in a bit of baking soda then after the 15 minutes is up your going to run that clean under cold water.

Then add all the “sauce” ingredients back into a bowl with the cleaned steak and now your ready to pull it all together in the wok!

Meanwhile, while the steak is marinating in the sauce you can get your rice going either on the stove or in your rice cooker and also chop up all the vegetables = Red and Green peppers, onions, garlic and ginger.

Then the rest of the dish takes less than 15 minutes to pull together, talk about easy enough eh? 

For this recipe you can throw in practically any type of vegetable in, sometimes will throw broccoli and snap peas for another version.

However this version is definitely my all time favorite, I could eat this once per week or more and sometimes i do 🙂

I like to serve this with some cooked jasmine rice on the side, I hope you give it I would love to know what you think?

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

Looking for more Chinese style recipes? search the blog’s “Skip The Takeout” section for some more inspiration. 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear how it turned out! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

 

 

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Beef Vermicelli

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These Beef Vermicelli noodles are super simple to make and are packed full of flavors from Thai food that you have come to expect and love.

Because everyone thinks i’m some kind of highly skilled Asian chef, when really im just following some basic steps to obtain this lovely dish. 

This recipe is very easy to prepare and has red and yellow peppers along with bok choy in it among some other very important ingredients. 

I used to order this often from my local Vietnamese restaurant, now I make it myself.

Today you can find many different types of ways to prepare this popular dish, this is my take on this delicious recipe.

I hope you give it a try and let me know what you and your family think. 

Some people like to make this dish with shrimp, chicken or pork. 

And others like it purely vegetarian, which is good also. So do what works best for you, after all it’s your meal. 

You will want to start marinating the beef first and while its marinating you can then soak the vermicelli noodles.

Also preparing the vegetables around this time is perfect too. Since the actually cooking part takes less than 15 minutes.

To me this vegetable mixture is perfect, peppers and bok choy works so well.

The only traditional ingredient I didn’t add here was thai basil which you can top this dish with at the end if you’d like.

You can always substitute Thai basil leaves for regular fresh basil leaves.

I didn’t have any on hand today so I used cilantro instead which works good too.

Also I like to use Garlic chili sauce, which gives it the right amount of heat vs cutting up fresh whole thai red chilies.

They are just to hot for me to handle, and I always end up with burning hands.

I like to add 2 tbsp of this Garlic chili sauce to my recipe, however for this one I used 1 tbsp in the ingredients section because I’m sure more people prefer a milder dish.

ENJOY!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

The best way to get ahold of me is through the comments! I absolutely love hearing from my readers, and I respond to each and every comment I receive.