Chow mein

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

Ingredients

• 150g/5oz dried yellow shi wheat flour noodles, or medium egg noodles
• dash toasted sesame oil
• 300g/11oz skinless chicken breast fillets, sliced into strips
• dash dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp five-spice powder
• 1 tsp chilli sauce (optional)
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1-2 tbsp groundnut oil
• 1 red pepper, de-seeded and finely sliced
• 150g/5oz bean sprouts
• 1 large spring onion, sliced lengthways
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• freshly ground black pepper

Preparation method

1. Cook the noodles in a pan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes until al dente, or according to packet instructions. Drain, then rinse under cold running water and drain again. Drizzle with a dash of sesame oil and toss through to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other.
   
2. Place the chicken strips in a bowl and season with a dash of dark soy sauce, the five-spice powder and chilli sauce, if using. Mix well, then lightly dust the chicken strips with the cornflour.
   
3. Heat a wok until smoking and add the groundnut oil, then add the chicken and stir fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is golden-brown and cooked through.
   
4. Add the red pepper and stir fry for one minute, then add the bean sprouts and spring onion and stir fry for 30 seconds. Stir in the cooked noodles and season with the light soy sauce, a dash of sesame oil and freshly ground black pepper.
   
5. Pile the noodles onto a serving plate and serve immediately.
   

VEGETARIAN CHOW MEIN (Ken Hom)

• 225g dried or fresh egg noodles
• 1 tbsp sesame oil, plus more to serve
• 1 1/2 tbsp groundnut or vegetable oil
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 50g carrots, shredded
• 50g mangetout, trimmed and shredded
• 3tbsp spring onions, finely chopped on the diagonal
• 1 red pepper, shredded
• pinch sugar
• 2tsp light soy sauce
• 2tsp dark soy sauce
• 1tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

Cook the noodles following the packet instructions. Drain and cool under the cold tap. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the sesame oil. Set aside. Heat the wok over a high heat and add the groundnut oil. When smoking, stir-fry the garlic for 10 seconds, then add the carrots, mangetout, spring onions and red pepper.
Cook for 1 minute, then add the noodles, sugar, soy sauces, rice wine, season with white pepper and salt. Drizzle over a little sesame oil and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN VIDEO

VEG CHOW MEIN VIDEO