Desi Chow Mein is jam-packed with bold flavours and has just the right amount of heat.

We all love Chinese food with our desi twist so i make this chow mein with desi style.

Chow mein is coined from the two words ‘chow’ which means fried, and ‘mein’ which refers to noodles.

Ingredients:

• 200 g noodles
• 200 g boneless chicken sliced
• ⅓ teaspoon salt divided
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon regular soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornflour cornstarch
• 1 garlic clove crushed
• 1 small green bell pepper sliced
• 2 carrots sliced
• ½ cup cabbage sliced
• 1 red onion sliced – optional
• 3 spring onion, green part only, sliced
• 1-2 green chilies deseeded & sliced
• 4 tablespoons oil divided
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoon regular soya sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sriracha/chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• ¼ chicken cube
• ½ teaspoon grounded black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Method:

• Marinate the chicken with ½ teaspoon white pepper, ⅓ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cornflour (cornstarch) and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Keep aside.
• Prepare the Chow Mein sauce and set aside.
• Boil the noodles according to package instructions. Make sure not to over boil or they will get mushy while stir frying. Keep ¼ cup of the water the noodles are boiling in aside.
• When the noodles are done, strain them in a colander and run cold tap water through them. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil and keep aside.
• In a pan heat a tablespoon of oil. Add the carrot, bell pepper, cabbage and red onion. Sprinkle a dash of salt and black pepper. Stir fry for 3-4 mins only. Do not over cook the veggies. In the end mix the green chili and keep the veggies aside.
• In the same pan add 2 tablespoon oil. Saute the crushed garlic and then add the marinated chicken. Fry on medium high heat until cooked then pour in the sauce.
• Add the boiled noodles. Immediately add to the pan and toss well. Taste for salt at this point and add some if needed. Add the spring onions and mix.
• Take out on a serving plate, sprinkle with some sesame seeds and serve.