Nothing can be compared to the comfort and satisfaction brought by a delicious bowl of Vegetable Lo Mein Delight. This dish is a whirlwind of flavors, with a mix of tender lo mein noodles and crisp, colorful vegetables all coated in a savory sauce. This recipe is quite easy to prepare and can be a delightful addition to your dinner rotation.
Lo mein noodles may not be a staple in every household, but they're quite easy to find in most supermarkets or Asian grocery stores. They're basically egg noodles that are slightly thicker and perfectly soak up the flavor of the sauce. Hoisin sauce is another ingredient that might not be readily available in your pantry. It's a thick, fragrant sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine and can be found in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets. Wasabi edamame is an optional garnish for those who like a bit of heat, and can usually be found in the frozen section.
Ingredients for Vegetable Lo Mein Delight
Soy sauce: A staple in Asian cuisine, providing a mix of umami, sweet, and salty flavors.
Hoisin sauce: A thick, sweet and spicy sauce that enhances the flavor complexity of the dish.
Sesame oil: Adds a distinct nutty flavor.
Lo mein noodles: Egg noodles that are slightly thicker, perfect for soaking up flavors.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables.
Cremini mushrooms: Adds a nice meaty texture and earthy flavor to the dish.
Red pepper: Provides a sweet, slightly tangy flavor.
Carrot: Adds a subtle sweetness and crunchy texture.
Napa cabbage: Adds a refreshing crunch, and it's milder and sweeter than regular cabbage.
Scallion: Gives a fresh, onion-like flavor.
Sesame seeds: Adds a subtle nutty taste and a slight crunch.
Wasabi edamame: An optional spicy and crunchy garnish.
One reader, Cher Leavitt says:
The vegetable lo mein delight is a game-changer! The combination of fresh veggies and savory sauce is simply divine. The noodles are perfectly cooked, and the flavors are so well-balanced. It's a delightful and healthy dish that I can't get enough of. Highly recommend trying it out!
Key Techniques for Mastering Vegetable Lo Mein Delight
How to prepare the sauce: Combine soy sauce, hot water, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil in a small bowl and stir until well mixed.
How to cook the lo mein noodles: Boil a large pot of water over medium heat, add salt, and cook the noodles until tender. Drain the noodles, transfer to a bowl, and toss with sesame oil to prevent sticking.
How to cook the vegetables: Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, mushrooms, red pepper, carrot, and cabbage. Stir-fry until the vegetables are wilted.
How to add the noodles and sauce: Add the cooked noodles and sauce to the vegetables in the wok. Stir to combine until the sauce coats the noodles and vegetables.
How to serve: Serve the veggie lo mein topped with scallions, sesame seeds, and wasabi edamame for a spicy crunch.
How to store leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.
How To Make Vegetable Lo Mein
The best stir-fry noodle recipe to complete your meal. This vegetable lo mein is packed with delicious and healthy vegetables perfect for a healthy dish.
Serves:
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- ¼cupsoy sauce
- ¼cuphot water
- 2tbsphoisin sauce
- 1tbspsesame oil
For the Lo mein:
- 10ozlo mein noodles,fresh or dry
- 2tspsalt
- 1tspsesame oil
- 2tbspolive oil
- 8ozcremini mushrooms,sliced
- 1red pepper,sliced
- 1carrot,grated
- 1small napa cabbage,chopped
For the Garnishes:
- scallion,fresh chopped
- sesame seeds
- Wasabi edamame
Instructions
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In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, hot water, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil.
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Fill a large pot with water and set it over medium heat. Add the salt and bring the water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until tender for around 4 minutes. Drain the noodles, transfer to a bowl, and toss with sesame oil to prevent sticking.
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Set a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add olive oil along with the sliced mushrooms and stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the mushrooms lose their water and start to brown slightly.
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Then add the red pepper, carrot, and cabbage. Continue to cook for about 3 minutes, stirring regularly until the vegetables are wilted.
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Add noodles along with the sauce and stir with the vegetables to combine. The sauce should coat the noodles and vegetables. If the noodles seem dry, add more water, a tablespoon at a time.
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Serve the Veggie Lo Mein topped with scallions, sesame seeds, and wasabi edamame for some nice spicy crunch.
Nutrition
- Calories: 426.16kcal
- Fat: 14.97g
- Saturated Fat: 2.49g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7.70g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.78g
- Carbohydrates: 60.57g
- Fiber: 4.11g
- Sugar: 6.56g
- Protein: 13.49g
- Cholesterol: 59.77mg
- Sodium: 1037.08mg
- Calcium: 53.21mg
- Potassium: 624.05mg
- Iron: 3.61mg
- Vitamin A: 191.95µg
- Vitamin C: 40.10mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Vegetable Lo Mein
When stir frying your vegetables for the lo mein, it's important to keep them moving in the pan to ensure even cooking and prevent them from burning. Also, cut your vegetables into similar sizes for uniform cooking. Remember, the goal is to maintain some crunch in your vegetables, so avoid overcooking them. This will not only enhance the texture of your dish but also preserve the nutrients in your veggies.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Vegetable Lo Mein
Prep ahead: Chop and prepare all the vegetables and sauce ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
One-pot wonder: Consider using a large skillet or wok to cook the entire dish in one vessel, minimizing cleanup and saving time.
Quick cook: Opt for pre-cooked or quick-cooking ingredients, such as pre-sliced mushrooms or shredded carrots, to reduce prep time.
Multi-task: While the noodles are cooking, simultaneously prepare the vegetables and sauce to expedite the cooking process.
Leftover love: Utilize leftover vegetables or proteins from previous meals to cut down on prep and cooking time.
Efficient organization: Lay out all the ingredients and utensils in an organized manner before starting to cook for a more efficient process.
Streamlined slicing: Use a mandoline or food processor to quickly and uniformly slice vegetables for the lo mein.
High heat: Cooking over high heat helps to quickly cook the vegetables while retaining their crisp texture.
Team effort: Enlist the help of a friend or family member to assist with the prep work, making the cooking process more efficient and enjoyable.
Substitute Ingredients For Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, with a similar umami flavor and richness.
hoisin sauce - Substitute with plum sauce: Plum sauce has a sweet and tangy flavor similar to hoisin sauce, making it a suitable replacement.
lo mein noodles - Substitute with spaghetti noodles: Spaghetti noodles can be used as a substitute for lo mein noodles, providing a similar texture and shape.
cremini mushrooms - Substitute with shiitake mushrooms: Shiitake mushrooms have a robust flavor and meaty texture, making them a great substitute for cremini mushrooms in this dish.
napa cabbage - Substitute with bok choy: Bok choy has a similar mild, slightly sweet flavor and crisp texture, making it a suitable substitute for napa cabbage in this recipe.
Plating Ideas for a Delightful Vegetable Lo Mein
Elevate the plating: Carefully arrange the lo mein noodles in a nest-like shape on the plate, creating a visually appealing presentation.
Incorporate color contrast: Introduce vibrant colors by garnishing with thinly sliced red bell peppers and bright green scallions to add visual interest to the dish.
Utilize height and depth: Create a sense of dimension by stacking the noodles and vegetables, allowing them to cascade elegantly on the plate.
Garnish with precision: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds delicately over the dish, ensuring an even distribution for a polished finish.
Emphasize balance and harmony: Ensure that the distribution of vegetables and noodles is balanced, creating a harmonious composition on the plate.
Consider the plate: Select a plate that complements the colors of the dish, enhancing the overall visual appeal.
Highlight the ingredients: Showcase the freshness of the vegetables by arranging them in a way that allows each component to shine.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Vegetable Lo Mein
Cutting board: A flat surface used for cutting, slicing, and chopping ingredients.
Chef's knife: A versatile kitchen knife used for a variety of tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing.
Wok: A versatile round-bottomed cooking vessel used in various Chinese cooking techniques, including stir-frying, steaming, pan-frying, and more.
Large pot: Used for boiling noodles and cooking larger quantities of food.
Strainer: Used for draining noodles and other ingredients.
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for stir-frying and cooking vegetables and noodles.
Small bowl: Used for mixing and preparing the sauce.
Tongs: Used for tossing and stirring the ingredients while cooking.
Spatula: Used for stirring and flipping ingredients in the skillet or wok.
Grater: Used for grating vegetables or ginger for the lo mein dish.
Measuring cup and spoons: Used for accurately measuring the ingredients for the sauce.
Storing and Freezing Vegetable Lo Mein for Later
To store leftover vegetable lo mein, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the lo mein for up to 3-4 days.
When ready to reheat, you can either microwave the lo mein or reheat it in a skillet over medium heat. If the noodles seem dry, add a splash of water or vegetable broth to help rehydrate them and prevent sticking.
For longer storage, you can freeze the leftover lo mein. Transfer the cooled lo mein to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat frozen lo mein, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat the lo mein in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a little water or vegetable broth to help loosen the noodles and prevent them from drying out.
Keep in mind that the texture of the vegetables and noodles may change slightly after freezing and reheating, but the flavor should still be delicious.
Reheating Leftover Vegetable Lo Mein for Optimal Taste
Microwave method: place the leftover vegetable lo mein in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. The damp paper towel will help prevent the noodles from drying out.
Stovetop method: heat a tablespoon of olive oil or sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leftover lo mein and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently, until heated through. If the noodles seem dry, add a splash of water or soy sauce to help moisten them.
Oven method: preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover vegetable lo mein in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes of reheating to allow any excess moisture to evaporate and the edges to crisp up slightly.
Steaming method: place the leftover lo mein in a heat-proof dish and set it in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps retain the moisture in the noodles and vegetables, preventing them from drying out.
Stir-fry with additional ingredients: heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add some minced garlic, ginger, or any other aromatics you like, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the leftover vegetable lo mein along with any additional vegetables or proteins you'd like to incorporate. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through and the new ingredients are cooked to your liking.
Interesting Trivia About Vegetable Lo Mein Delight
The recipe for Vegetable Lo Mein Delight is a great way to incorporate a variety of vegetables into your diet, providing essential nutrients and fiber.
Budgeting for Homemade Vegetable Lo Mein
This vegetable lo mein delight recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With affordable ingredients like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and vegetables, it provides a budget-friendly meal option. The versatility of the dish allows for ingredient substitutions based on availability, further enhancing its cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15, making it an economical choice. Overall Verdict: 9/10.
Is Vegetable Lo Mein a Healthy Choice?
This vegetable lo mein recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional lo mein dishes. The recipe incorporates a variety of vegetables, including mushrooms, red pepper, carrot, and napa cabbage, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The use of whole grain lo mein noodles would further increase the nutritional value of the dish.
However, there are a few aspects of the recipe that could be improved to make it even healthier:
- The sauce contains a significant amount of sodium from the soy sauce and hoisin sauce. Reducing the amount of these ingredients or using low-sodium alternatives would help decrease the overall sodium content.
- The recipe calls for olive oil and sesame oil, which are high in calories. Using a smaller amount of oil or opting for a cooking spray could help reduce the calorie count without compromising flavor.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this vegetable lo mein, consider the following suggestions:
- Increase the variety and quantity of vegetables used in the recipe. Adding more nutrient-dense options like bok choy, broccoli, or snow peas would provide additional vitamins and minerals.
- Incorporate a lean protein source, such as tofu, shrimp, or chicken, to make the dish more balanced and satisfying.
- Experiment with different whole grain noodle options, such as soba or udon noodles, to add variety and potentially increase the fiber content.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic in the sauce to add flavor without relying on high-sodium ingredients.
- Garnish the dish with fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil to add a burst of flavor and additional nutrients.
Our Editor's Opinion on This Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe
The vegetable lo mein delight recipe is a delightful and flavorful dish that combines the umami richness of cremini mushrooms with the crunch of red pepper, carrot, and napa cabbage. The sauce brings a perfect balance of savory and sweet, coating the tender lo mein noodles and vegetables. The garnishes of scallions, sesame seeds, and wasabi edamame add a pop of color and texture. This dish is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal.
Enhance Your Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Perfect Appetizers and Desserts for a Vegetable Lo Mein Feast
Why trust this Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of vegetables and noodles, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish. The sauce is carefully crafted with a perfect balance of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil, ensuring a rich and savory flavor profile. The use of fresh cremini mushrooms, red pepper, carrot, and napa cabbage guarantees a colorful and nutritious meal. Topped with scallions, sesame seeds, and optional wasabi edamame, this recipe promises a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will surely impress and satisfy.
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