Chow Mein: Does It Contain Mushrooms?

Mushroom chow mein is a popular dish that can be made with a variety of mushrooms, such as shiitake, shimeji, chestnut, straw, oyster, king oyster, and portabello mushrooms. It typically includes noodles, which can be either fresh or dried, and are cooked al dente to achieve a chewy texture. The dish may also include vegetables such as bok choy and bean sprouts, as well as a sauce made with ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, and sugar. It can be prepared as a vegetarian option or with additions like chicken, beef, or duck.

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Mushroom chow mein recipes

Mushroom chow mein is a tasty and quick vegetarian dish packed with umami flavour. It is a healthy option that can be made in a single pan and is ready in 15-20 minutes.

There are many variations of mushroom chow mein, but the core ingredients are noodles, mushrooms, and a stir-fry sauce. Fresh egg noodles are ideal for this recipe, but dried egg noodles, wheat noodles, udon, wholewheat noodles, pasta, or ready-cooked fine rice (vermicelli) noodles can also be used. For a gluten-free option, rice noodles are a good substitute. If using dried noodles, you will need 150-200 grams, and they should be boiled according to the packet instructions and rinsed with cold water to prevent overcooking.

For the mushrooms, a variety of shiitake, oyster, chestnut, portobello, white button, or enoki mushrooms can be used. Mixed mushrooms add a nice variety of textures and flavours to the dish. The mushrooms should be cut into half-inch slices.

The stir-fry sauce is what gives the dish its signature savoury umami taste. A common sauce recipe includes oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice wine or vinegar, and some form of sugar. For a vegetarian option, oyster sauce can be swapped for vegetarian stir-fry sauce or mushroom sauce, or hoisin sauce. To make the sauce, simply mix the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

To cook the dish, heat some vegetable oil in a pan or wok. Add the chopped mushrooms and stir-fry until they start to brown, keeping them moving in the pan for best results. You can also add other vegetables at this stage, such as spring onions, garlic, onion, broccoli, bamboo shoots, green beans, or mange tout.

Once the mushrooms are browned, add the cooked noodles and sauce mixture to the pan. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Mushroom chow mein is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste. For a heartier meal, you can add protein such as chicken, beef, or prawns. It is a satisfying and flavourful dish that can be easily made at home.

Mushroom types for chow mein

Mushroom chow mein is a tasty, quick and easy vegetarian dish. It is packed with veggies and has a rich umami flavor. You can use a variety of mushrooms for this recipe, and it is best to use a combination of mushrooms for a more complex flavor. Here are some mushroom types that work well in chow mein:

Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are a popular choice for chow mein. They have a savory, umami flavor and a meaty texture that makes them a great addition to stir-fries. They are available fresh or dried, and you can find them in most supermarkets.

Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are another excellent option for chow mein. They have a delicate, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture. Oyster mushrooms are also known for their health benefits, as they are rich in antioxidants and vitamins.

Chestnut Mushrooms

Chestnut mushrooms are a variety of button mushrooms with a brown cap and a nutty aroma. They have a firm texture and a rich, earthy flavor that can enhance the taste of chow mein. Chestnut mushrooms are widely available and affordable, making them a great choice for this dish.

Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms are large, mature cremini mushrooms with a meaty texture and a robust flavor. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Portobello mushrooms can be sliced and added to chow mein, providing a hearty and satisfying element to the dish.

Shimeji Mushrooms

Shimeji mushrooms, also known as beech mushrooms, have a delicate flavor and a crisp texture. They are often used in Asian cuisine and are a great addition to chow mein, providing a unique taste and texture.

When making mushroom chow mein, it is essential to use a neutral-flavored vegetable oil, such as sesame oil, for cooking the mushrooms. Olive oil is not recommended due to its strong flavor, which can overpower the dish. Additionally, oyster sauce is commonly used in classic chow mein, but vegetarian alternatives, such as mushroom or stir-fry sauce, can be substituted for a vegan-friendly option.

Vegetarian chow mein

Chow mein is a popular Chinese dish of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, meat, and a savoury sauce. The term 'chow mein' means 'stir-fried noodles' in Chinese. A vegetarian chow mein is a highly customisable dish, which can be made in under 30 minutes and is a great way to use up leftover vegetables.

Ingredients

• Mushrooms (shiitake, shimeji, chestnut, straw, oyster, king oyster, portobello, etc.)
• Carrots
• Cabbage (white or red)
• Bean sprouts
• Baby bok choy
• Broccoli
• Water chestnuts
• Zucchini or yellow squash
• Green onions
• Sugar snap peas
• Bamboo shoots

For protein, you can add tofu, tempeh, or seitan.

Sauce

The traditional chow mein sauce contains oyster sauce, which is not vegetarian. For a vegetarian version, swap the oyster sauce for hoisin sauce. Other common ingredients in the sauce are soy sauce, rice wine or rice vinegar, and some form of sugar.

Method

The key to a successful stir fry is preparation. Chop all the vegetables and mix the sauce before you start cooking. Heat some oil in a wok or pan on high heat. Add the garlic and onion and fry for about 20 seconds, tossing so they don't burn. Then, add the rest of the vegetables and fry for a couple of minutes, tossing well so they cook evenly. Finally, cook the noodles according to the packet instructions—they might need soaking in water first or can be added straight to the pan.

Enjoy your vegetarian chow mein!

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Chicken chow mein with mushrooms

Chicken chow mein is a popular Chinese takeout dish. It is a one-pan dinner with chicken, vegetables, and classic chow mein noodles. The dish is stir-fried and is often served with a thick, dark, sweet and savoury sauce.

Chicken chow mein can be made with mushrooms. A combination of mushrooms such as shiitake, shimeji, chestnut, portobello, white button, straw, king oyster, and oyster mushrooms can be used. The mushrooms are sliced and sautéed with garlic and onions. The chicken is cooked separately and then added back to the pan with the mushrooms, followed by the cooked noodles and sauce. The dish is cooked for another 2 minutes and then served hot.

To make the sauce for chicken chow mein with mushrooms, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch. You can also add chicken broth and sesame oil to the sauce. The sauce should be sweet and savoury and taste authentic.

The noodles used in chicken chow mein with mushrooms can be egg noodles, fresh or dried, wheat noodles, udon, wholewheat noodles, or pasta. The noodles are cooked according to the package instructions and then rinsed with cold water to stop the cooking process. They are then tossed with vegetable oil to prevent them from sticking together.

Noodle types for chow mein

The type of noodle used is what distinguishes chow mein from other stir-fried noodle dishes. Chow mein noodles are made from wheat and egg, resulting in a similar texture to Italian pasta. They are thin, dry, and crinkly, and yellow in colour. They can be purchased dry from most grocery stores, or sometimes pre-cooked from the refrigerated section.

There are two main ways to prepare chow mein noodles: soft or crispy. Soft noodles are prepared by boiling the noodles and then tossing them with a sauce, vegetables, and meat. Crispy chow mein, the traditional Chinese/Hong Kong style, is made by frying the noodles until crisp and then serving them with a saucy stir-fry on top.

If you can't find chow mein noodles, there are several substitutes that can be used. Hong Kong-style pan-fried noodles can be purchased from Asian grocery stores and are parboiled, meaning they can be used straight from the bag. Alternatively, fettuccine, linguine, ramen, or thin spaghetti can be used, although the seasoning packet should be discarded.

Frequently asked questions