Healthier beef chow mein in just 5 steps

Make the takeaway favourite at home

Banish mid-week meal boredom with this healthy spin on a takeaway classic. Added bonus? It’s ridiculously quick and packed with next-level flavour.

Healthier Beef Chow Mein

Serves: 6

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 350g packet fresh chow mein noodles
• 2 tsp cornflour
• 2 tbsp salt-reduced soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• ¼ cup shao hsing (Chinese rice wine)
• 1 salt-reduced beef stock cube
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 bunch baby pak choy, leaves separated
• 1 brown onion, cut into thin wedges
• 1 celery stalk, sliced diagonally
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 carrots, cut into long strips
• 225g can bamboo shoot slices, drained
• 100g snow peas, trimmed, thinly sliced lengthways
• 425g can baby corn, drained, halved lengthways
• Thinly sliced red chilli, to serve
• Green onion, to serve

Healthier Beef Chow Mein. Image: Supplied.

Method:

1. Cook the noodles following packet directions. Drain well, then set them aside.

2. Meanwhile, combine the cornflour and soy sauce in a small jug. Add the oyster sauce, shao hsing, beef stock cube and ¾ cup water. Mix well to combine.

3. Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add oil, swirl to coat, then add the mince. Stir-fry, breaking up the mince, for 3 to 5 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a heatproof bowl.

4 Add the pak choy and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add the onion and celery, stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until just starting to soften. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.

5 Return the mince to the wok, then add the sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 1 minute, then add the carrot, bamboo shoots, snow peas and baby corn. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes or until the vegetables are just tender and the sauce thickens. Add the noodles, toss to combine and serve topped with pak choy, red chilli and green onion.

Originally published as Healthier beef chow mein in just 5 steps