Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
If you’re yearning for Chinese takeout without the cost and hassle of ordering and waiting for delivery, a chef has the perfect remedy for you.
Maria Keenan, who has published several cookbooks and is recognized on social media as Oxford Girl Cooks, turned to TikTok to share her recipe for chow mein noodles. She asserts that the dish’s “addictive” taste can rival that of the finest local takeout joints.
Maria Keenan’s Chow Mein Recipe
In her video, she inquires, “Ever wondered how your local takeout attains that addictive chow mein flavor?” She continues, “Let me demonstrate—it’s simpler than you might think,” as she displays her ingredients in her wok.
Cooking Instructions
- Initial Steps: Maria begins by adding oil to the pan, followed by chopped green onions and sliced white onions.
- Adding Noodles: Next, she incorporates the noodles, garlic, and ginger.
Creating the China Town Sauce
- Instructions: The chef then unveils her “secret sauce” that elevates plain noodles to a takeout-worthy meal.
- Ingredients Needed: Light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
- Final Touches: “Toss in a pack of bean sprouts and that’s all,” Maria says.
Customizing Your Chow Mein
- Versatility: Maria emphasizes, “Chow mein is incredibly versatile—you can create a vegetarian version by adding baby corn, snow peas, or even scrambled eggs.”
- Meat Lovers: “Alternatively, incorporate cooked chicken, sliced beef, or prawns for a heartier meal.”
A Delicious, Budget-Friendly Meal
- Conclusion: She wraps up, “Regardless, it’s an excellent dish to cater to any palate—affordable, quick to prepare, and easy to make. Plus, it saves you time and money by crafting everyone’s favorite takeout meal at home.”
TikTok Users’ Reactions
- Positive Feedback: One of Maria’s followers commented, “We’ve tried your recipes and now love homemade chow mein. I can’t cook, yet your instructions made it a breeze! Thank you for sharing.”
- Cravings for Chow Mein: Another user said, “Omg, I want that for dinner now—I’ll have to order takeout instead!”
Allergy-Friendly Alternatives
- Oyster Sauce Alternatives: A third TikTok user, who has fish and shellfish allergies, asked, “Looks lovely, can you suggest an alternative to oyster sauce or just omit it?”
- Maria’s Advice: Maria advised, “You can omit it, but the flavor will differ. Add white pepper and a bit of sugar to adjust.”
Detailed Ingredient Measurements
A fourth user requested more specifics, asking, “Please post the amounts of soy sauce, etc., and I’ll give it a try.”
- Exact Measurements: Maria clarified, “I used approximately 1 tablespoon dark soy, 3 tablespoons light soy, 3 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil.”
One thing is certain—the dish seems absolutely delectable!