ChowMein Noodles / Lo Mein Noodles

 

Chow mein (/ˈtʃaʊ ˈmeɪn/) are stir-fried noodles, the name being an English language corruption of the Taishanese chāu-mèing. The dish is popular throughout the Chinese diaspora where it will appear on the menu of Chinese restaurants. It is particularly popular in the United States and Britain It is commonly known as Loomein here in USA.

 

Here is my quick and easy version of homemade Chinese noodles for you.

Ingredients

1. 2 cup of dry egg noodles or dry spaghetti pasta par boiled.(al dente)

2. Green Beans (1 cup sliced in two parts)

3. Red Bell peppers (½ cup sliced) or choose any color

4. Mushrooms (1/2 cup sliced)

5. Red Onions (1/2 cup sliced)

6. 2 tbsp of garlic and ginger chopped finely

7. 2 tbsp of olive oil

8. 2 tbsp of red chili flakes

9. Dark Soy Sauce( opt for low sodium)

10. Vinegar

11. Scallions/ Green onion for garnishing

12. Water

Directions

1. Blanch the beans in hot boiling water for 3-5 minutes and then take them out and put in ice cold water. This way beans will be still crunchy but not raw and still maintain green color.

2. Heat the wok on medium heat add oil.

3. Add ginger and garlic with red chili flakes, let them be light pink and add all veggies one by one.

4. Sauté the vegetables for 5-6 minutes, do not stir them just shake your wok to turn them around.

5. At this point of time, if you want to add an egg you can add it now, but if you want vegetarian version just add boiled noodles.

6. Stir the noodles with tongs. Let them get some color.

7. Now when the noodle are ready add 1 tbsp of vinegar and 2 tbsp of soy sauce and mix it well.

8. Let them cook till soy sauce evaporates and then add little bit salt if required.

9. Serve hot and garnish with scallions.

Chowmein/Loomein are everyone’s favorite now you can make them home instead of eating outside and eating high calories food and destroying your health.

Sweet and Saucy Stir Fry

Ingredients

1. 1 cup of zuchinni chopped in 1-2 inch cubes

2. 1 cup of brocolli florets

3. ½ cup of chopped carrots

4. 1 cup each of yellow, green, red bell peppers chopped

5. 1 small can of water chestnuts / singhara or ½ cup of chopped in 1 inch cubes

6. 1 tsp of sesame oil

7. 2 tsp of soy sauce

8. 1 tsp of conrstarch with 1 cup of water

9. 1 tsp of honey

10. 2 tbsp of vinegar

11. ½ cup of pineapple juice with crushed pineapple pieces

12. 2 teaspoon of fresh minced ginger and garlic

13. Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. For vegetables. Boil 3-4 cups of water and add salt.

2. Drop in all vegetables except water chestnuts to take the edge off but still being crunchy just for 3-4 minutes.

3. Take out the veggies and scatter them in an open tray to cool them quickly.

4. In the mean time add seasme oil, soy sauce, vinegar, honey and corn starch water in a small bowl. Whisk and heat the mixture till sauce turns little thick.

5. Heat oil in a non stick wok (khadiy) or deep dish pan.

6. Add ginger garlic paste.

7. When the mixture little pink add all cooled down vegetables in the wok add water chestnuts now. Keep on stirring in between.

8. Fry them little brown and then add soy sauce mixture and stir with tongs.

9. When it is incorporated add pineapple juice with chunks and stir. Let it simmer for sometime till it turns little thick sauce.

10. Plate them and garnish with chopped green onions. You can serve with steamed rice.

This will make you say yummy , saucy. I am sure. Try this.

-Chitra

Mint Chutney

Savory treat for all of you :)

Ingredients:-

· 1 cup of soaked seedless tamarind in warm water
· 2 bunches of mint / pudina
· 1 bunch of cilantro / dhaniya / corriander
· 1 jalapeno or green chili
· ½ chopped red onion
· 3 tsp. of sugar (sugar free preferred)
· Salt to taste
· 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
· Water


Directions:-

· Separate Mint and Cilantro leaves from stems.
· Now mix them in blender with onions and green chilies. If the mixture is thick to mix add little bit of water.
· Now slowly add soaked tamarind.
· When it is mixed well add salt, red chili powder and sugar.
· Enjoy mint chutney sandwiches by spreading over any kind of bread, crackers or nachos,

even with paranthas, puris or pakoras

-Chitra

Asian Style Fish Sticks / Pakoras

Ingredients

· Two wheat bread
· 2 tsp of Olive Oil or olive oil spray
· One Lemon
· One tsp of fresh cilantro/dhaniya

For Marinating

· 1/2 cup soy sauce (preferred-low Sodium)
· 2 cups of fresh orange juice
· 2 tsp. of sugar
· 2 tsp. of fresh chopped cilantro
· 1 tsp. of fresh chopped ginger
· 2 cloves of minced garlic
· 2 fresh fillets of Salmon (preferred – Atlantic)
· 1 teaspoon of hot sauce
· 1 teaspoon of hot chili flakes or red chili powder

 

Marinated Fish in Sauce

Directions:-

• Cut two fillets into bite size pieces (approx. 6-7 pieces)
  
• Marinate them into zip lock bag or plastic container from 4-24 hrs and keep it aside in fridge (preferred overnight)
  
• Take out the fish 20 minutes before cooking to allow them to come in room temperature.
  
• In the mean time grate the bread slices into fresh bread crumbs and take them out in separate bowl or tray.
  
• Heat oil in a non stick pan/skillet.
  
• Take out the fish and roll it over bread crumbs until they are all coated with it.
  
• When the pan has turned hot turn down the heat to medium and put the fish piece one by one. Turning heat to medium will not smoke into your kitchen.
  
• Do not flip the fish until it has been cooked to 5 mins. Or the breaded fish has turned golden brown each side.
  
• Take another small pan and pour the marinating sauce into it and reduce it till it turns thick.

When the fish is cooked sprinkle fresh cilantro/dhaniya and lemon juice over it and place it over the marinating sauce. Serve hot.

-Chitra

Chili Kadhai Paneer-Perfect Party Snack

 

Ingredients
· 2 roughly chopped Onion
· 2 roughly chopped Green bell peppers
· 2 tsp. minced ginger
· 1 small Tomato sauce/paste can
· 3 half hut green chilies
· 1 tsp. red chili powder
· 250 gm. Indian cottage cheese / Paneer
· 2 tsp. of Soy Sauce
· 1 cup roasted peanuts (not fried)

Directions

· Cut cottage cheese/ paneer in 1 inch cubes and keep it aside.
· Now take a non stick pan and add ginger to it.
· As soon as Ginger turns pink add Onions.
· While onions turn little bit crisp and pink in color add bell peppers.
· Add Soy Sauce
· Slide down the lid on the pan for five minutes and turn down the heat to low.
· When bell peppers are little soft and crispy add all dry spices.
· Now add Tomato paste.
· Now cook the mixture till 5 minutes with lid down on the pan.
· After cooking whole mixture/masala now add Paneer to this and let it simmer for 5
more minutes.
· Now add roasted peanuts for little crunch
· Garnish with green chilies.
· Serve hot with Naan/Chapatti or Parantha or serve as a snack with drinks.

You can also use Chicken instead of Paneer. Just roast Chicken before and rest of the recipe remians same.

-Chitra Ahluwalia Pal

Chinese Veg Fried Rice

Bored with your chinese takeout, want to make your own fired rice. Here's is the trick:-
This is so easy even your kids can try it when you are working. You can also try making this over your busy weekday.It's ready in 15 minutes.

 
Ingredients

· 3 cups boil rice
· 4 tsp. of Soy Sauce (low sodium-optional)
· 4 tsp. of Vinegar
· ½ tsp. of Red chili powder
· 1 cup Mix vegetables
· 1 tsp. of Cumin seeds
· 2 tsp. of Oil

Directions

· Heat oil in non stick pan and add cumin seeds.
· When seeds splutter add mix vegetables.
· Fry the vegetables just for a very little time and then add red chili powder.
· Then add Boil rice and let them fry for five minutes.
· Now add Soy sauce and Vinegar.
· Garnish with fresh chopped scallions /green onions.

-Chitra