Make Vegan Chow Mein

Chow mein is an easy-to-make dish that is tasty and filling. Chow mein can be made into a main dish or served as a side dish with other options such as stir-fried veggies or a vegan Chinese main. If making as a side dish, prepare a food that goes well with noodles.

Ingredients

Seitan chow mein:
Serves 2 to 3:

  • 200g/6.5oz noodles (rick stick or wheat flour noodles, vegan)
  • 2 tablespoons soy or tamari sauce
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce (check it has all-vegan ingredients)
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 375g/12oz seitan slices (or chopped a piece of seitan into thin slices)
  • 2 tablespoons peanut or olive oil
  • 8 fresh shiitake mushrooms (brushed and sliced)
  • 6 green onions (scallions), sliced
  • 180g/6oz broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable stock (or imitation vegan beef stock)
  • 1 tablespoon dry sherry (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Vegetable chow mein:
Serves 2 to 3:

  • 3 tablespoons olive or other oil (divided into 2 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon)
  • 225g/1/2 lb chow mein noodles (vegan)
  • 100g bean sprouts
  • 1 carrot, grated (shredded)
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced
  • 1/2 red capsicum (bell pepper), sliced
  • 1/2 green capsicum (bell pepper), sliced
  • 2 green onions (scallions), chopped into small pieces
  • 2 cups sesame seeds, toasted

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons tamari sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon vegetarian oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce (a hot chili sauce)
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Steps

Seitan Chow Mein

  1. Remove the noodles from the package. Cook as directed on the package. Remove from the heat, drain and place into a bowl for use shortly.
  2. Pour the soy or tamari sauce into the ceramic bowl. Add the hoisin sauce, crushed garlic and grated fresh ginger. Stir to combine well.
  3. Add the seitan slices to the marinade in the bowl. Spoon the sauce over the slices to ensure they're fully coated. Set aside to marinate for half and hour. When the time is up, drain but keep the marinade for reuse. Set the marinated seitan slices aside.
  4. Warm the wok over medium-high heat. Add the oil.
  5. Add the marinated seitan slices and stir fry for 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and place the fried seitan slices onto a plate.
  6. Place the wok back on the stovetop, still at medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, green onion and broccoli florets. Stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
  7. Add the seitan slices, noodles stock, leftover marinade, sherry and sesame oil. Stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
  8. Divide the chow mein into four to six portions. Place into serving bowls and serve immediately.

Vegetable Chow Mein

Preparation

  1. Prepare the sauce first. Pour all of the ingredients into a ceramic or glass bowl. Stir to combine, then set aside.
  2. Fill the large saucepan with water. Place it on medium-high heat and bring to the boil.
  3. Remove the noodles from the package. Cook them according to the package instructions. When cooked, remove from the heat and drain.
  4. Pour 2 tablespoons of oil into the base of a bowl. Transfer the noodles into the bowl and mix well.

Making the Chow Mein

  1. Place 1 tablespoon of oil into the base of the wok. Heat over medium-high.
  2. Add the onion to the warmed oil. Stir fry for a few minutes until cooked just a little. Do not cook until soft.
  3. Add the grated carrot. Stir fry for a few minutes.
  4. Add the chopped capsicum (bell pepper).
  5. Add the beansprouts. Cook for a minute. Remove the vegetables from the heat and set aside.
  6. Add the noodles to the wok. Stir fry for a few minutes stirring all the time.
  7. Tip the vegetables into the noodles. Stir to mix through.
  8. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the vegetable noodles. Stir it while cooking until the liquid evaporates.
  9. Add the green onion and toasted sesame seeds just before removing the wok from the heat.
  10. Divide into half and serve into bowls. Or, divide into four smaller portions as a side dish. Serve immediately.

Tips

  • Always check that the noodles used are egg-free.

Things You'll Need

Seitan chow mein:

  • Saucepan for cooking the noodles
  • Colander or strainer
  • Bowl for holding noodles
  • Ceramic or glass mixing bowl
  • Stirring spoon
  • Wok
  • Wok utensil
  • Plate

Vegetable chow mein:

  • Ceramic or glass bowl for sauce
  • Spoon for mixing
  • Saucepan for cooking the noodles
  • Colander or strainer
  • Bowl for holding noodles
  • Wok
  • Stirring implement
  • 2 large bowls or four plates for side dish

Sources and Citations

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