Noodles and Things

I’ve been on a major Asian kick lately. This is a really easy and tasty meal. It really doesn’t take very long. Substitute whatever veggies you like as long as you keep the ginger. (Me, I don’t use mushrooms as I hate them. To each their own.)

Loads of Ginger Vegetable Lo Mein
8 servings

The heat in this dish is very different from that of a chili. Here, finely minced ginger lends its hot and spicy flavor to the lo mein.

Do-ahead tip: Cut all of the vegetables early in the day. Refrigerate until ready to cook. Have a pot of water ready to go and all other ingredients measured out. This dish will then take 15 minutes from the moment the water starts to boil for the pasta.

1 pound spaghettini (thin spaghetti)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 bunch scallions, white and tender green parts only, finely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped ginger root
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/4 pound snow peas, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch wide strips
1/2 pound large mushrooms, cut into 1/4-inch or thinner slices
1 1/2 pounds bok choy, cut crosswise into 1/4- to 1/2-inch wide slices
1/2 pound carrots, grated
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
4 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Cook the spaghettini according to package directions.

While the spaghettini is cooking, in a wok or large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the scallions and ginger and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the snow peas, mushrooms, bok choy and carrots; the wok will be full. Carefully stir together the vegetables. Add the chicken broth, cover the wok and steam the vegetables until they just begin to turn tender, but still have some crispness, 6 to 8 minutes. Uncover the wok and add the soy sauce, sesame oil and 3 tablespoons of the sesame seeds. Stir to mix thoroughly. Remove the wok or pot from the heat.

Drain the spaghettini and transfer it to a large, shallow serving bowl. Add the vegetable mixture, including the liquid, from the wok. Toss with the pasta until combined. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds over the lomein and serve immediately.