How To Make Chow Mein

There are some key steps to knowing how to make chow mein. This article covers these steps and shares a wonderful recipe from Chef Emeril Lagasse’s kitchen on FoodNetwork.com--Emeril Lagasse's own Fall River Chow Mein. 

Ingredients you'll need:

• 1/4 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 cup diced onions
• 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 tsp. celery salt
• 3 cups low sodium beef broth or stock
• 3 tbsp. of cornstarch
• 2 tsp. Kitchen Bouquet (optional, for color only)
• 2 tsp. soy sauce
• 2 tsp. dark corn syrup
• 1 cup celery sliced on a diagonal 1/4 inch thick
• 2 cups shredded chicken
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Package of Fall River Noodles

1. Re-hydrate the shiitake mushrooms in boiling water and let them soak for five minutes. Remove the mushrooms and reserve 1/3 cup of the liquid.
2. Over medium heat, heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil and add 1/2 cup of the onions and cook till onions are soft.
3. Add garlic and celery salt and saute for about one minute.
4. Add 2 1/2 cups of the beef broth and the reserved liquid from soaking the mushrooms and bring to a boil.
5. In a separate bowl whisk the rest of the beef broth, cornstarch, Kitchen Bouquet and soy sauce together until combined completely.
6. Add dark corn syrup and bring to a boil.
7. Simmer for five minutes or until slightly thickened and keep warm. 
8. Add the remaining vegetable oil to a wok and heat over high heat 
9. Add the rest of the onions and celery and cook until soft.
10. Add chicken, salt and pepper and cook about one to two minutes.
11. Add 1/2 cup of sauce into chicken and vegetables and coat with the sauce.
12. On a serving platter put Fall River Noodles then add chicken and vegetables on top.
13. Pour the rest of the sauce over the noodles, chicken and vegetables and toss, making sure sauce coats everything

Tips:

• This recipe uses vegetable oil; however, sesame oil can also be used.
• Choosing to use a low sodium broth or stock is not solely for health benefits. It also allows you to control the salt you put in this dish.
• While Fall River Noodles are good, you could also use Chinese egg noodles or other Asian noodles.