What’s in Your Lo Mein Bowl?

Did you know?  The ancient Romans called the hottest, most humid days of summer “diēs caniculārēs” or “dog days.” The name came about because they associated the hottest days of summer with the star Sirius. Sirius was known as the “Dog Star” because it was the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).

Well the day started out with me and my good intentions, but once I heard the weather for today and throughout the weekend I quickly back tracked my dinner plans running from the thought of heating up the oven to 500º for Friday night pizza and the same goes for the outdoor grill options for pizza.  So as my options dwindled I considered quick cooking methods and landed upon an easy 15 minute lo mien recipe easily prepped ahead and cooked  just before serving…and then while I dove into the freezer I chose 1 of the last 4 pounds of shrimp from last fall’s shrimp season for a knock off version of PF Chang’s salt and pepper shrimp, two easy dishes and minimal heating up the house.  Link below to shrimp recipe.

Lo Mein: adapted according to what I had on hand in the veggie bin and Asian pantry goods.  I also like a hint of ginger and a little garlic, but not necessary at all and I also like a little heat and any Asian hot sauce will work for me.

  • 8 ounces Asian noodles, cooked according to package instructions/make ahead, rinse under cold water, drain and keep in sealed container until ready to heat
  • 1/2-3/4 tablespoon sesame oil (I added a drop of hot sesame oil, a little goes a long way)
  • 3 cups preferred vegetables this time, whole snow pea pods, julienned cabbage, carrot curls, chopped green onions, sliced mushrooms save some chopped green onion tops for garnish
  • 1-2 tablespoons mirin or sake to deglaze pan…Lo Mein sauce, whisk thoroughly
    1 teaspoon sugar or honey
    1 tablespoon mushroom soy
    1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
    * optional 2  teaspoons oyster sauce
    1 teaspoon or so sesame oil

    Heat a wok add the green onions and vegetables to the hot pan. Stir fry for a few minutes or until snow peas. Add the a splash of mirin or sake to deglaze pan.  Add the cooked noodles and sauce,  toss in the hot pan, serve hot with some chopped green onion tops…stir fry your favorite protein ahead of time, toss with the noodles the last-minute or so to heat.

     

    Link to Copycat Salt and Pepper Shrimp: http://pfchangsathome.blogspot.com/2013/01/salt-and-pepper-prawns.html

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