Stir-Fried Chinese Noodles – Lunch or Dinner

Chinese noodles come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, offering a wide range of options to choose from. Here’s a basic guide on how to prepare a simple and delicious Chinese noodle dish using stir-frying techniques.

Ingredients:

For the Noodles:

• Chinese egg noodles or wheat noodles (fresh or dried)
• Vegetables (such as bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, bok choy, snow peas)
• Protein (chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu, or your choice)
• Garlic and ginger (minced)
• Scallions (sliced)
• Sesame oil

For the Sauce (Optional):

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Sesame oil
• Chinese rice wine or sherry (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Noodles:
   • If using dried noodles, follow the package instructions to cook them until they’re al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. If using fresh noodles, they usually require a shorter cooking time.
   • Toss the cooked noodles with a small amount of sesame oil to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Ingredients:
   • Cut the vegetables and protein of your choice into bite-sized pieces. Keep them separate.
3. Stir-Fry:
   • Heat a wok or a large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of cooking oil (such as vegetable or peanut oil).
   • Add minced garlic and ginger to the hot oil and stir briefly until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
4. Add Protein and Vegetables:
   • Add the protein to the wok and stir-fry until it’s almost cooked through. Remove the protein from the wok and set it aside.
   • Add a bit more oil to the wok if needed and add the vegetables. Stir-fry for a few minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
5. Sauce (Optional):
   • In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Chinese rice wine or sherry (if using), and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
6. Combine Ingredients:
   • Push the vegetables to the sides of the wok to create a space in the center. Pour the sauce into the center and let it heat for a few seconds.
   • Add the cooked noodles and protein back to the wok, and use your utensils to toss everything together, evenly coating the noodles and protein with the sauce.
7. Finish and Serve:
   • Add sliced scallions to the noodles and give it a final toss.
   • Once everything is heated through, remove from heat.
   • Serve the stir-fried noodles hot, garnished with additional sliced scallions if desired.