Lo Mein Noodle Recipe: A Delicious and Easy Guide
Lo mein, a beloved Chinese-American dish, is a fantastic weeknight meal. Its simplicity and adaptability make it a perfect canvas for your culinary creativity. This recipe provides a delicious foundation, allowing you to customize it to your liking.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 4-6 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
- Noodles: 1 pound dried lo mein noodles (or your favorite wide egg noodles)
- Protein (Choose one or a combination): 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cubed), 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined), or 1 pound firm tofu (pressed and cubed)
- Vegetables: 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup sliced carrots, 1 cup sliced bell peppers (any color), 1/2 cup chopped scallions, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 inch ginger (minced)
- Sauce: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional, but adds umami!), 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or peanut oil
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Noodles: Cook the lo mein noodles according to package directions. Drain well and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside. This prevents the noodles from becoming mushy.
2. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, and black pepper. This creates a smooth, flavorful sauce that coats the noodles perfectly.
3. Cook the Protein: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your chosen protein and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from the wok and set aside.
4. Stir-fry the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until slightly tender-crisp.
5. Combine Everything: Return the cooked protein to the wok. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and protein and stir to coat evenly. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
6. Add the Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the wok and toss gently to coat them with the sauce. Stir in the scallions.
7. Serve: Serve immediately. Garnish with extra sesame seeds or chopped green onions, if desired.
Tips and Variations:
- Customize Your Protein: Feel free to use any protein you like, such as beef, pork, or even vegetarian substitutes like mushrooms or seitan.
- Add More Veggies: Get creative with your vegetables! Add things like snow peas, mushrooms, baby corn, or bean sprouts.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for a spicier kick.
- Make it a Meal Prep Dish: Lo mein is great for meal prepping! Make a large batch and store it in the refrigerator for quick and easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
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