HOW TO...MOUTHWATERING QUICK & EASY 'CHOW MEIN' NOODLE SALAD

Easy Chinese Noodle Salad with more-ish sauce is Chinese restaurant quality ...but costs much less

Chow Mein Salad with Pork & Veg in a ring of air fried crispy kale
'Classic noodle dish is simple but so special; ok, it's westernised but it is a truly delicious budget meal.' Taster

The blogger has developed a craving for chow mein noodles, partly due to their availability - and deliciousness - in local supermarket Kavanaghs' (ex-Budgens) cook-at-home takeaway counters. (details in Welcome to the Blog, nav bar above) 

Chow mein is a popular colourful dish of Chinese noodles, leftover and raw vegetables plus a choice - or combination - of proteins.  Chow Mein is found on the menu of nearly every Chinese restaurant outside China. 

It's usually eaten hot but in the middle of a heatwave, 67 thought a salad version would be good.  And it was: Wow!

The sauce is really the selling point; it turns the noodles into something more-ish and almost addictive.  It has a sweet and savoury umami-ness (complex meaty savouriness).  

No exotic ingredients needed, just soy sauce, sesame oil and black pepper with sesame paste (tahini) or peanut butter. 

But it's also frugal; the mix of ingredients is dictated by budget.  Noodles are relatively cheap and there's a wide choice of  protein & veg, leftovers or freshly cooked.  

The dish is wonderful to eat. The noodles are shiny and hold their shape; the veg, crunchy and the proteins tender.  Unlike hot chow mein, there's no chance of sogginess here.  

Add some pizazz to the usual salad bar; give it a go.  Chow Mein Salad could fast become part of your list of family favourites.

Cost: depending on leftovers, min £2.00'ish  (7/24)

Feeds: 2'ish

Ingredients:

Sauce:

2 tbsp sesame paste/tahini or peanut butter
2 tbsp jasmine tea, water or stock
1.5-2 tbsp soy sauce (1.5 if there are blood pressure issues)
2 tbsp red wine vinegar (or balsamic)

1 tsp sesame oil

2 tbsp veg oil (opt)

1/2 tsp sugar (opt)

1 tbsp minced or grated garlic

2 nests of medium egg noodles, any type (but wholemeal are healthier and taste virtually the same) 

150-200gm/5.2-7oz cooked protein: pork, chicken, beef, prawns, firm tofu

small handful of 3-4 of the following:s

cooked:

broccoli
small cauliflower florets
green beans
pea pods

mange tout

bak choy

peas

raw

thinly sliced celery

thinly sliced cucumber

thinly sliced radishes 

carrot shaving

small bite-sized chunks tomatoes, seeds removed if you like

beansprouts (blanched in boiling water)

Garnishes:

air fryer crispy kale

OR coarsely chopped roasted peanuts or almonds

Method: