Chow Mein with Ground Chicken, Cabbage, Carrots, and Caramelized Sauce
Ingredients (serves 4):
For the chow mein:
250g chow mein noodles or egg noodles
300g ground chicken
2 tbsp sesame oil (or other neutral oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 piece fresh ginger (1 tsp), grated
2 carrots, julienned
2 large handfuls shredded cabbage (white or Chinese)
2 green onions, sliced (optional)
For the caramelized sauce:
3 tbsp salty soy sauce
1 tbsp sweet soy sauce (or 1 tsp brown sugar)
1 tbsp hoisin sauce (or oyster sauce)
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or lemon)
1 tbsp 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
1 tsp cornstarch diluted in 2 tbsp water (optional to thicken)
Preparation:
Cook the noodles:
Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Cook the ground chicken:
In a wok or large skillet, heat the oil. Add the ground chicken and stir-fry until golden brown.
Add the vegetables:
Stir in the garlic, ginger, carrots, and cabbage. Stir-fry over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
Prepare the sauce:
In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients. Pour over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Reduce slightly (add the cornstarch if you prefer a more syrupy texture).
Mix with the noodles:
Add the cooked noodles to the wok. Mix well to coat all the noodles with the sauce.
Serve:
Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot.
Tips:
You can substitute shredded beef, pork, or tofu for the ground chicken.
For extra heat, add a few drops of sriracha or chili sauce.