Introduction
Indian chowmein is more than just a dish, it is an architectural creation that is a fusion of top Chinese cuisines with Indian flavors. Then this dish became one of the favorite street foods in India and its delicious smell and taste make people of all ages eager to try this food. It has gradually found its place in every Indian kitchen whether it is used as a snack or as a complete meal.
For those who are trying to figure out how to prepare this street style favorite, this i-guide will explain in detail. Whether you need to know what ingredients to use or how to cook it to get the best result for your meal, you will have all your answers here. Let’s now know the recipes for Indian Style Chow Mein.
A Brief History of Chowmein
Chow mein is derived from the Chinese words chao mien which literally means stir-fried. Culinary historians learned all this from the Chinese when the dish was transplanted to India to transform it into a new dish that became one of the fastest-growing foods in India. New additions to the mix were spices, green chillies and a variety of vegetables, making it very clear that what was being cooked openly was an Indo-Chinese noodle dish that was chow mein for the Indian palate. Over time, the dish gained acceptance in street vendors, restaurants and families and was consumed as a comfort food.
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Why Indian Chowmein Stands Out
The Indian version of chow mein differs in the use of spices and fresh vegetables. While chow mein in China is a dish characterized by the subtle sauteing of ingredients, the Indian version uses a rich assortment of sauces and condiments. Seasonings like soy and chili sauces, as well as vinegar, go very well with Indian ingredients like green chilies, garlic, and chopped fresh coriander. The combination creates a dish that is at once sour, hot, and slightly salty.
Chop and prepare the ingredients for the dish, as listed below.
Noodles: 200 grams chow mein noodles
1 tablespoon oil
Water for boiling
Vegetables and seasonings:
2 tablespoons oil
2, sometimes 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped.
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 medium capsicum (bell pepper) – cut lengthwise into thin strips.
1 cup shredded cabbage
2-3 green chilies; finely chopped
*Additional green chilies are optional depending on preferred level of spiciness.*]
2 tablespoons green parts of spring onions.
Sauces and seasonings:
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder.
Salt to taste
Optional Additions:
Protein: Chicken, shrimp, or tofu
Extra vegetables: Mushrooms, baby corn, or broccoli
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Noodles
Boiling the noodles: The instructions for cooking chow mein noodles are to add the chow mein noodles to a large pot of boiling water. Lastly, add a pinch of salt and just a tablespoon of oil to help the noodles stick together.
Cook until done: This should be done following the cooking time on the noodle packet to ensure your noodles are cooked to al dente. I prefer this method. Too little exposure to water will make your noodles tough, while too much exposure to water will make them soft.
Cool and set aside: Once the noodles are boiling, remove them from the pot, run hot water over the noodles, and rinse them with cold water. Set aside for later use.
Step 2: Stir-Frying the Vegetables
Heat the oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in one motion and pour it into a non-stick coated wok or large frying pan on high heat.
Fry: Fry the finely chopped garlic and green chillies well until they turn reddish brown.
Add the vegetables: Add the onion, carrot, capsicum, cabbage to the pot. They need to be fried for 2 to 3 minutes to retain their crispness.
Step 3: Creating the Sauce
Mix sauce: In another bowl, add soy sauce, chili sauce, tomato ketchup and vinegar for the marinade. Mix them to get a thick and tangy sauce.
Stir-fry seasoning: Once the vegetables are fried, pour this sauce over the vegetables. Then add black pepper powder and salt as required and coat all the basic ingredients well.
Step 4: Combining Noodles and Vegetables
Add the noodles: They should be added to the pan slowly, and mixed lightly, as noodles tend to break up if overcooked.
Cook together: Remove from heat and stir-fry for another 2 to 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and blend well.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Finish with spring onions: Sprinkle chopped spring onions or scallions over the dish for a colorful and rich flavor.
Plate and serve: So hot with chow mein, anyone can eat it with chili vinegar or other favorite side dishes.
Variations of Indian Chowmein
Vegetarian Chow Mein: The festival is decorated with colorful vegetables like mushrooms, baby corns, broccoli, etc.
Chicken Chow Mein: Add more protein by stirring the marinated and fried chicken strips every now and then.
Seafood Chow Mein: Add shrimp or calamari for a rich seafood dish.
Spicy Chow Mein: For those who consider spice important, add more green chilies and chili sauce when preparing a standard curry.
Tips for Perfect Chowmein
Use fresh ingredients: Washing vegetables and tender noodles helps to give the finished dish a better flavor.
Cook over high heat: This type of preparation is done over high heat specifically to brown the vegetables and create some smoke from the heat.
Balance the flavors: Don’t limit yourself to measuring sauces and spices here and there, adjust them to your liking.
Avoid overcrowding: Flash: Subtotal to differentiate between batches of Old Man by quantity so that the ingredients don’t steam.
Nutritional Value
Indian chow mein is a truly delicious and nutritious dish if the right ingredients and ingredients are included in the preparation of chow mein. Here is a common nutritional mistake:
Calories: In the end, each serving contains about 350-450 calories, even in a vegetarian or minimally processed dish.
Protein: 8-10 grams This amount depends on the amount of chicken or tofu used.
Carbohydrates: 50-60 grams
Fat: 10-15 grams
Fiber: 5-7 grams
Adding vegetables or healthy proteins (primary sources) during the preparation process should increase the nutritional value of the dish.
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Common Questions About Indian Chowmein
1. Can I make chowmein gluten-free?
However, you are able to make Indian chow mein using gluten free noodles and gluten free soy sauce.
2. How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
To further avoid the noodles to stick together while boiling you can add about one tablespoon of oil and to remove excess oil and further reduce cooking time, you can rinse the noodles with cold water after draining.
3. Can I prepare chowmein in advance?
Of course you already know that chow mein is best enjoyed when hot, but the noodles can be pre-boiled while the vegetables can be sliced ahead of time. The great thing about this dish is that it poses the opportunity to arrange it few minutes before it is served.
Conclusion
This Indian chow mein is flexible for anyone’s taste buds and is very tasty and is easily prepared. For this reason Asian Deli Food uses the Chinese technique with Indian spices which would make any palate happy. This is quite a simple recipe to prepare but trust me, your family, friends or anyone else you will be serving it too will be wowed. To enhance the probability of preparing a restaurant-quality meal at the comfort of your home the following must be observed:
Therefore let’s collect the ingredients, heat the wok and enjoy the cooking of Indian chow mein today.
