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schezwan vegetable Lo mein

SCHEZWAN VEGETABLE LO MEIN/NOODLES

A perfect one pot Asian meal with lots of vegetables and noodles in a spicy soy sauce mixture! This 30-minute meal is the perfect alternative to Chinese or for that matter any other takeout!
Course Brunch, Dinner
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 44 minutes
Servings 5
Author Vanitha Bhat

Ingredients

  • 2 packets noodles 200 gm each (I have used Chings Secret Veg Hakka Noodles)
  • ½ cup thinly sliced red capsicum
  • ½ cup thinly sliced orange capsicum
  • ½ cup thinly sliced green capsicum
  • 1 cup green snow peas/snap peas
  • 1 cup shredded white cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • ½ to 1 cup chopped green onion white portion or sliced onions
  • 1 tbsp grated or finely minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp grated or finely minced ginger
  • 3 to 4 green chilies/jalapenos slit or cut into roundels
  • 2 Maggie seasoning cubes I have used the vegetarian one; you can use any. This is optional.

FOR THE SCHEZWAN SAUCE MIXTURE:

  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Schezwan sauce/chutney or you can use sriracha or any hot chili sauce
  • 2 tbsp chili crisp or you can use red chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp green chili sauce optional
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 tbsp cooking oil
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

Instructions

PREPPING THE VEGETABLES AND NOODLES:

  1. Chop, slice and mince all the vegetables and aromatics. This can be done ahead of time and kept in a closed container until cooking time.
  2. Cook noodles according to package instructions. They should be al dente or just cooked or even slightly undercooked as they will continue to cook in the pan along with the vegetables. No one likes to enjoy mushy, too soft noodles.
  3. Once cooked, drain, rinse with cold water and coat with some oil to avoid sticking of noodles.

TO MAKE THE SAUCE:

  1. In a mixing bowl or better yet a glass jar, add the ingredients listed for the sauce. Mix or shake well. Taste and adjust the amount of the ingredients according to your taste.
  2. Set aside.

TO MAKE THE SCHEZWAN VEGETABLE LO MEIN:

  1. Heat sesame oil (or any other cooking oil) in a very large kadai or wok; swirl the pan to coat the bottom of the pan evenly with the oil.
  2. As soon as the oil is hot, add white part of the green onions and sauté for a couple of minutes on high, stirring often.
  3. Stir in the ginger, garlic and green chilies and cook or sauté again for a few seconds.
  4. Tip in the chopped vegetables and give it a good stir.
  5. Yes, you can add all the vegetables in one go! Keep stirring on medium high heat for a minute or two; do not let it overcook as it will continue to cook after you add the noodles and sauce.
  6. If using the Maggi seasonings cubes, crumble and mix well at this stage.
  7. Tip in the cooked noodles along with the sauce mixture and toss or mix on medium high heat, stirring well using a ladle or best a pair of tongs to heat through thoroughly and allow the sauce to permeate the whole mixture!
  8. Sprinkle a dash of black pepper powder and salt/sauces if needed , mix, do a taste test and adjust seasonings (salt, soy sauce, hot sauce etc.) and when Lo Mein is hot, remove from heat before the vegetables turn mushy.
  9. Serve hot topped with chopped green onions.
  10. Enjoy Foodies and Happy Eating!

Recipe Notes

  • Make sure to rather undercook the noodles rather than overcook as they will continue to cook in the pan.
  • Use any mix of vegetables you have or like: carrots, green beans, mushrooms, water chestnuts , bamboo shoots, bean sprouts etc.
  • Adjust the seasonings according to personal preference.
  • If you want to add a protein like paneer or tofu or even chicken or fish, add it first before the vegetables, sauté and then remove before continuing, adding it at the end with the noodles.
  • For ease in mixing while cooking, I normally mix in the sauce mixture with the cooked, drained noodles before adding to the stir fry veggies in the pan. Makes it easier and quicker to heat up and not end up overcooking the veggies!
  • Happy Cooking/Eating!