When we think of Chinese food we immediately think chow mein. The word chow mein comes from the people of Taishan, which is a city located in the Pearl River Delta, southwest of Jiangmen. “Chow” means fried and “mein” means noodles.

Chow mein is served as a main course in China. This deliciously nutritious dish consists of noodles, meat and vegetables.

Ingredients:

Main dish:

• 225g Egg noodles, dried or fresh
• 1 tbsp Sesame oil, plus 1 tsp
• 100g Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 2½ tbsp Groundnut oil
• 2 Cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 50g Snap peas, finely shredded
• 50g Parma ham or cooked ham, finely shredded
• 2 tsp Light soy sauce
• 2 tsp Dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry Sherry
• ½ tsp White pepper, freshly ground
• ½ tsp Golden caster sugar
• 2 Spring onions, finely chopped

Marinade:

• 2 tsp Light soy sauce
• 2 tsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry Sherry
• 1 tsp Sesame oil
• ½ tsp White pepper, freshly ground

Method:

1. In a large pot, add the noodles to boiling water and cook for 3-5 minutes.
2. Drain and place directly into cold water. Drain again and place in mixing bowl. Toss the noodles with 1tbsp Sesame oil and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl combine the ingredients for the marinade and mix well.
4. Add the chicken strips and  ½ tsp salt. Mix until the marinade has coated everything. Set aside for about 10 minutes to marinade.
5. Over a high heat, heat a wok. Add 1 tbsp Groundnut oil. When the wok is slightly smoking, add the chicken and stir fry for about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken strips to a plate and set aside.
6. Clean the wok and place on high heat again. Add the rest of the ground nut oil. When the wok is slightly smoking again, add the garlic and stir fry for 10 seconds.
7. Add the snap peas and ham. Stir fry for 1 minute.
8. Then add the noodles, soy sauces, rice wine/ sherry, pepper, sugar, spring onions and 1 tsp salt. Stir fry for 2 minutes.
9. Add the chicken to the wok and any juices that came from the chicken. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked.
10. Add 1 tsp sesame oil and stir once or twice.
11. Remove from heat.
12. Serve immediately.

“chī hǎo hē hǎo” 吃好喝好 (enjoy your meal!)

Source: BBC Good Food .com