“L” is for Lo Mein #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z

Nothing is more symbolic of Chinese cuisine than noodles. Noodles represent long life, so they’re a superstitious dish and are always enjoyed in almost every meal that you’ll be served.  Long Life Noodles are always served on Chinese New Year.  The most popular way that noodles are served in Chinese cooking is in Lo Mein.

You don’t have to wait for Chinese New Year’s to enjoy some Lo Mein, and you don’t even have to take out Chinese food in order to get the real taste of Lo Mein.  Try this recipe at home, and I guarantee you that your family will think it came from the Chinese restaurant.  If you really want to fool them, save a take-out box from the Chinese restaurant the next time you take out, and serve up the Lo Mein in the box (of course, please take full precaution to wash the box thoroughly before saving it, and re-using it.  The Fine Print:  Please note that The Chinese Quest is not liable for any ill affects from re-using the box.  Use at your own discretion.  Or, as the Chinese restaurant for an extra box next time.  Tell them you want to share the take out with the neighbors.  Or, just use your imagination.  Or, forget the box, and just enjoy the Lo Mein! Or… Or… Or… if I had this much gold ore, I would be a millionaire and wouldn’t have to blog… I would just open a Chinese restaurant, hire the best chefs in the world, and enjoy the best Chinese food in the world.  Every night.  Or not!  😉 )

Recipe for Chicken Lo Mein

Ingredients

Serves 3-4:

• 1 pound boneless/skinless chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice wine (or dry sherry)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 8 ounces cooked linguine
• 4 ounces mushrooms
• 2 carrots
• 1 zucchini
• ½ onion
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• oil for sauteing

Directions

1. Trim the excess fat off of the chicken, slice thinly and toss with 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of rice wine or dry sherry and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch. Set aside to marinate.
2. Prep all of your ingredients:
   • Boil your linguine, drain and rinse with cool water. Set aside.
   • Peel and julienne carrots, julienne zucchini, slice onion and thinly slice mushrooms. Set each aside in separate bowls.
   • Make your 3-2-1 Sauce, adding 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil together in a bowl, mixing thoroughly.
   • Set everything aside right near where you will cook for easy access.
3. Heat a wok over high heat until it is almost smoking. Add in a little vegetable oil, tilting the wok to evenly coat, and add in the chicken. Stir and toss for 1-3 minutes continuously until fully cooked, depending on how thick the pieces are. Remove and set aside for later.
4. Immediately add in a little more oil, then the carrots and onions. Stir fry together for 2 minutes.
5. Add in the mushrooms, and stir fry for 2 additional minutes.
6. Add in the zucchini and stir fry for 1 minute.
7. Add in the cooked noodles and chicken, stir and toss for 1 minute to heat through and create a little separation with the noodles.
8. Make a well in the middle by pushing everything out to the edges, or just push everything to one side and add in the 3-2-1 sauce. Stir and toss for 1 minute to evenly coat and incorporate the sauce with all of the ingredients.
9. Remove and serve!

Now that you’ve dazzled your family with this recipe, you can demonstrate your brilliance by knowing the following…

Chinese Food Trivia

Be a Chinese Food Maven like us, by knowing the difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein:

Mein in the Chinese word for noodles.  The main distinction between these two popular dishes lies in how the noodles are prepared.  Lo Mein means “tossed noodles” while chow mein means “fried noodles”.

Now you know!

Humbly submitted for your consumption,

—Mee Magnum  (“Chop!  Chop!”)