Wednesday, December 8, 2010

lo mein

i've never really been a fan of take-out lo mein.  it always looks so oily and super soy saucy (which means way too salty for me).  i have no idea why, but i had a serious craving for it a couple of weeks ago.  have you ever had that - where you absolutely must have something and you can't think about anything else until you get it?  it was that kind of  lo mein craving.  so i promptly bought some noodles and set out to make some miss v lo mein.


  • 10 oz. lo mein noodles
  • 5 button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 bell pepper, julienned
  • 1 cup chopped napa cabbage, or bok choy
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup veggie broth
  • 2 tablespoons nama shoyu or lite soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

bring water to boil in a large pot and cook noodles for 3 minutes (or according to package directions). drain and rinse with cool water.  heat wok to 375°f  and sauté the garlic in the sesame oil.  once garlic is browned, add in sliced cabbage, veggie broth and nama shoyu.  stir fry the cabbage for 2-3 minutes, keeping the lid on the majority of the time.  next, add in red pepper flakes, red bell pepper, carrots and mushrooms.  continue to stir fry for 3-4 minutes. once veggies are tender, but still a little crisp, add lo mein noodles to the wok and toss with veggies for about 1 minute.  sprinkle a little extra low sodium soy and a dash of sesame oil at the very end.

makes approximately three generous servings.

10 comments:

Rose said...

I get cravings like that all the time!

The lo mein looks delicious, and I'm sure leaps and bounds healthier than any take-out.

Anonymous said...

Looks a lot like our go-to recipe - so yummy! Guppy calls them "Chinese Noodles", and we make them often. I throw steamed broccoli in, and whatever other veg I have kicking around. Yours looks fantastical!

Bianca said...

Though I love super-soy-saucy things...and oily things....your healthier version would probably be way better for me!!

Cat said...

Great simple dish! Toss some big fat cubes of baked tofu in there, and I'm sold. Is it dinnertime yet?

Jen Treehugger said...

I crave noodley things quite a lot. Lo Mein = AWESOME!

jessy said...

you're so right on the take-out lo mein. i haven't had it in years, but when i did it was overly oily and salty. sadface. your lo main looks great, miss v.! - i love that ya tossed in some red pepper flakes and the sesame oil is such a tasty touch. yummy all around! yay!

Just Us said...

I love lo mein and this sounds awesome! I get a cravings for it alot. The next time I do, I will have to make yours...much healthier!

Claire said...

I've been looking for a good lo mein recipe. We eat out at an Indian/Chinese place sometimes and they make a lo mein that my husband loves, but I think is too greasy. If I added some cayenne to this, I'll have a version of theirs that we both love.

Bookmarked!

Unknown said...

Yum! Just found your restaurant reviews and I'm excited about them, being in the KC area. I make my own lo mein too. Much like yours, but I also add a dash of garlic powder (or some of the real deal) and white pepper. Gives it that extra depth and kick for me!

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