Shrimp lo mein is a delicious and popular Chinese dish that combines stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and succulent shrimp. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit individual tastes, making it a favorite among both home cooks and restaurant-goers. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to prepare this mouthwatering dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Firstly, you will need to gather all the necessary ingredients for shrimp lo mein. This includes fresh shrimp, lo mein noodles, vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage, as well as garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil for seasoning. Feel free to add other ingredients like mushrooms or onions to enhance the flavor.
Next, prepare the shrimp by removing the shells and deveining them. Rinse the shrimp with cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper for added flavor.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the lo mein noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to prevent sticking.
Heat some oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant. Then, add the vegetables and stir-fry them until they are crisp-tender. Remove the vegetables from the wok and set them aside.
Ingredients for shrimp lo mein
Shrimp lo mein is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender shrimp, fresh vegetables, noodles, and a savory sauce. To make this mouthwatering dish, you will need the following ingredients:
1. Shrimp:
Fresh or frozen shrimp can be used for this recipe. Make sure to devein and peel the shrimp before cooking.
2. Noodles:
Traditional lo mein noodles or spaghetti can be used as a substitute. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions and drain them well.
3. Vegetables:
A variety of vegetables can be added to shrimp lo mein, such as sliced bell peppers, thinly sliced carrots, broccoli florets, and chopped green onions. Feel free to customize it based on your preference.
4. Sauce:
The sauce is what gives the shrimp lo mein its rich and savory flavor. You will need soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sugar. Mix these ingredients together to create a delicious sauce.
5. Oil:
A neutral cooking oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, is needed for stir-frying the shrimp and vegetables.
These are the main ingredients you will need to make a delicious shrimp lo mein. Gather them all before starting the cooking process to ensure a smooth and effortless cooking experience.
Step-by-step instructions for cooking shrimp lo mein
Shrimp lo mein is a popular Chinese dish that can be easily prepared at home. This delicious stir-fried noodle dish is packed with flavors and can be customized with your favorite ingredients. Follow these simple steps to cook shrimp lo mein:
- Start by boiling a pot of water and cook the lo mein noodles according to the package instructions. Once they are cooked, drain and set aside.
- In a wok or a large skillet, heat some oil on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add some more oil and sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Add the sliced vegetables, such as bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli, to the pan and stir-fry for a few minutes until they are slightly tender.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Pour the sauce mixture into the pan and stir to coat the vegetables.
- Return the cooked shrimp back to the pan and toss everything together to combine.
- Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the pan and gently toss to coat the noodles with the sauce and distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Continue to stir-fry for a few more minutes until everything is well-combined and heated through.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro if desired.
Your homemade shrimp lo mein is now ready to be served! Enjoy this flavorful and satisfying Chinese dish with family and friends.
Preparing the shrimp
To begin making shrimp lo mein, the first step is to prepare the shrimp. Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp. To peel the shrimp, simply remove the shell by gently pulling it off. To devein, make a shallow cut along the back of each shrimp and remove the dark vein using a pairing knife or a deveining tool.
Once the shrimp are peeled and deveined, rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining debris. Pat them dry with a paper towel and set them aside.
Cooking the noodles
When preparing shrimp lo mein, one of the most important steps is cooking the noodles to perfection. Follow these steps to ensure that your noodles turn out delicious:
1. Boil the water: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Adding a pinch of salt to the water will enhance the flavor of the noodles.
2. Add the noodles: Once the water is boiling, add the dried lo mein or spaghetti noodles to the pot. Make sure not to overcrowd the pot, as this can lead to uneven cooking.
3. Cook al dente: Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, usually around 7-10 minutes. It’s important to cook the noodles al dente, which means they should still have a slight firmness to them. Overcooking the noodles will make them mushy and less appetizing in the final dish.
4. Drain and rinse: Once the noodles are cooked to your desired texture, drain them in a colander and rinse them under cold water. This will stop the cooking process and remove any excess starch, preventing the noodles from sticking together.
5. Toss in oil: After rinsing, toss the noodles with a small amount of oil to keep them from sticking together. Use a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil.
6. Set aside: With the noodles cooked and oiled, set them aside while you prepare the other ingredients for the shrimp lo mein.
By following these simple steps, you’ll have perfectly cooked noodles that are ready to be combined with the shrimp and other ingredients in the final dish.
Making the sauce
One of the key components of a delicious shrimp lo mein is the sauce. The sauce adds flavor and helps to bring all the ingredients together. Here is a simple recipe for making the sauce:
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, sugar, and chicken broth until well combined.
- Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved to avoid any lumps in the sauce.
- Set the sauce aside until ready to use.
Tip: If you like your lo mein saucier, you can double the recipe for the sauce.
Now that you have the sauce ready, you can move on to preparing the noodles and shrimp for your shrimp lo mein dish.
Stir-frying the shrimp and vegetables
Once your noodles are cooked and drained, it’s time to stir-fry the shrimp and vegetables. Here’s how:
Step 1: Prepare the shrimp
If your shrimp is frozen, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking. Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Heat the wok or skillet
Place a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a tablespoon of cooking oil and swirl it around to coat the cooking surface. Allow the wok or skillet to heat up for a minute or two until it starts to smoke slightly.
Step 3: Stir-fry the vegetables
Add your vegetables to the hot wok or skillet. Common vegetables used in lo mein include bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and mushrooms. Stir-fry the vegetables for a few minutes until they are tender-crisp. Remove the vegetables from the wok or skillet and set them aside.
Step 4: Stir-fry the shrimp
Add another tablespoon of cooking oil to the wok or skillet if needed. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp as they can become rubbery.
Step 5: Combine the ingredients
Return the vegetables to the wok or skillet with the shrimp. Add the cooked noodles and your desired sauce. Toss everything together using tongs or a spatula until the ingredients are well combined and heated through.
And there you have it – a delicious shrimp lo mein stir-fried to perfection. Serve hot and enjoy!
Combining all the ingredients
Once you have all the ingredients prepped and ready, it’s time to start combining them to create the delicious shrimp lo mein. Follow these simple steps to ensure a perfect dish:
- Heat a wok or large pan over high heat.
- Add some oil to the pan and let it heat up.
- Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp to the pan and cook until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Add the vegetables to the pan and stir fry until they are crisp-tender.
- Add the cooked noodles to the pan and toss to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
- Pour the sauce over the noodles and vegetables in the pan.
- Add the cooked shrimp back to the pan and toss everything together until well coated.
- Cook for another minute or two until everything is heated through.
- Remove from heat and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy your homemade shrimp lo mein!
FAQ
What are the ingredients needed to cook shrimp lo mein?
The ingredients needed to cook shrimp lo mein are shrimp, lo mein noodles, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, vegetables (such as bell peppers, carrots, and green onions), and cooking oil.
Can I use other types of noodles instead of lo mein noodles?
Yes, you can use other types of noodles such as udon noodles or even spaghetti if you don’t have lo mein noodles available.
How long does it take to cook shrimp lo mein?
It usually takes about 20-30 minutes to cook shrimp lo mein from start to finish.
Can I substitute other proteins for shrimp?
Yes, you can substitute other proteins such as chicken, beef, or tofu for shrimp in the lo mein recipe.
What vegetables go well with shrimp lo mein?
Vegetables that go well with shrimp lo mein include bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, broccoli, and green onions.