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Easy 15-min Recipe

Easy 15-min Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 25 reviews

This easy 15-minute Panda Express-style Chow Mein recipe delivers a flavorful, quick stir-fry packed with tender chow mein noodles, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce blend. Perfect for a delicious homemade takeout experience, it features a combination of fresh cabbage, celery, and onion tossed in a soy-oyster sauce mix with garlic and sesame oil.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 cups cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Noodles

  • 1 lb fresh chow mein noodles

Sauces and Oils

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil), divided
  • 2 tbsp regular soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir fry sauce)
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

Other

  • 1/4 cup chicken stock (low-sodium, or cold water)
  • 1/2 tbsp cornstarch (or potato starch)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, chicken stock, and cornstarch. Mix well to create a smooth sauce and set aside.
  2. Blanch the noodles: Bring a large pan filled halfway with water to a boil on medium-high heat. Add the fresh chow mein noodles and blanch for 20-30 seconds until they loosen. Immediately strain the noodles in a colander and set aside. Do not rinse with water to preserve starchiness which helps the sauce adhere.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions, cabbage, celery, and minced garlic. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.
  4. Cook noodles with veggies and sauce: Push the vegetables to one side of the pan. Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into the empty space, then add the blanched noodles and the prepared sauce mixture. Toss everything together carefully to ensure the noodles are evenly coated with sauce and combined with the vegetables.
  5. Finish and serve: Once the noodles are well mixed and heated through, remove from heat immediately. Serve the chow mein hot and enjoy a flavorful, authentic-tasting stir-fry in just 15 minutes.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, replace oyster sauce with vegetarian stir fry sauce and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
  • Do not rinse the noodles after blanching to help the sauce stick better.
  • If fresh chow mein noodles are unavailable, use dried noodles but adjust blanching time accordingly.
  • Adjust the amount of soy sauce to control the saltiness.
  • You can add protein such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: Panda Express, Chow Mein, Chinese Stir Fry, Easy Noodles, Quick Dinner, Takeout Copycat

Find it online: https://reemcook.com/easy-15-min-recipe/