Carrots (3/4 cup, matchstick-cut): Matchstick-cut carrots add a pop of color and crunch to the Chow Mein. Their sweet flavor and crisp texture complement the other ingredients, enhancing the overall eating experience.
Broccoli Florets (2 cups, diced): Diced broccoli florets contribute to the nutritional value of the Chow Mein, providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Instant Ramen Noodles (3 packages, discard seasoning packets): Instant ramen noodles serve as the base of the dish, providing a comforting and satisfying element.
Sauce Ingredients:
Chicken Broth (1/3-1/2 cup): Chicken broth forms the base of the sauce, providing a savory flavor and liquid consistency. Its depth of flavor enhances the overall taste of the Chow Mein, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
Cornstarch (2 tsp): Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, helping to achieve the desired consistency. Its neutral flavor and ability to create a smooth texture make it an essential ingredient in many Asian dishes.
Light Soy Sauce (3 tbsp): Light soy sauce adds salty and savory notes to the sauce, enhancing its flavor profile. Its umami-rich taste complements the other ingredients, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
Light Brown Sugar (1 tbsp): Light brown sugar provides a hint of sweetness to the sauce, balancing the savory and salty flavors. Its caramelized notes add depth and richness to the overall taste profile.
Toasted Sesame Oil (2 tsp): Toasted sesame oil imparts a rich, nutty flavor and aroma to the sauce, enhancing its depth and complexity. Its intense flavor profile adds a distinctive Asian touch to the Chow Mein.
Rice Vinegar (1 tbsp): Rice vinegar adds a tangy acidity to the sauce, brightening its flavor and balancing the richness of the other ingredients. Its light and slightly sweet taste enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
Hoisin Sauce (2 tbsp): Hoisin sauce contributes to the savory-sweet flavor profile of the sauce, adding depth and richness. Its thick consistency and complex flavor make it a key ingredient in many Asian dishes.
Sriracha Sauce (2 tsp, or to taste): Sriracha sauce provides a spicy kick to the sauce, adding heat and depth of flavor. Its bold and tangy taste complements the other ingredients, adding a fiery dimension to the Chow Mein.
Preparation Method:
Cook the Ground Beef: Warm up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a generously-sized skillet over medium heat, and add the lean ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the cooked beef from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced bell pepper, sliced onion, grated ginger, and finely chopped garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cornstarch, light soy sauce, light brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha sauce until well combined.
Continued on next page (page 3)
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