Title: Chow Mein (Two Sides Brown Noodles)
Categories: Chinese Beef Ceideburg
Yield: 1 Batch

10	sm	Black dried mushrooms
1/2	lb	Fresh Chinese egg noodles (regular mein)
		Sesame oil
1/2	lb	Sea scallops
		Cornstarch
1/2	lb	Flank steak
2	ts	Dark soy sauce
1/2	c	Bamboo shoots, sliced
1	lb	Bok choy, cut in 1 1/2-inch lengths
2		Eggs
2 1/4	c	Fresh chicken stock
2	tb	Light soy sauce
		Salt
1/2	ts	Sugar
		Peanut oil
1	tb	Or more dry sherry or Shaoxing rice wine

Here's a recipe for Chow Mein which is a pretty classic application using pan fried noodles.

Put the mushrooms in a small bowl and pour boiling water over them. Let soak for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles in a large quantity of boiling water for 3 1/2 to 5 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain again, toss with a little sesame oil and set aside.

Cut The scallops in half, toss with a little sesame oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons of cornstarch; refrigerate. Cut the flank steak as thinly as possible across the grain. Toss with 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, in a little sesame oil and the dark soy sauce; set aside. When the mushrooms have soaked, squeeze them out over the soaking liquid, and reserve 1/4 cup of the liquid. Cut off the mushroom stems and discard; cut the caps in two and set aside with the bamboo shoots and bok choy.

Lightly beat the eggs with a few drops of sesame oil. Heat a small frying pan and oil the bottom lightly. Pour in enough of the beaten egg to cover the bottom, pouring any excess back into the uncooked eggs. Cook just until set and remove. Repeat until all the egg is used up. Stack the egg crepes, roll them up and slice across the roll into shreds. Set aside.

Mix the chicken stock with the light soy sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the sugar; set aside. Heat this mixture in a small pot over low heat.

Meanwhile, heat a wok over medium high heat until hot. Add 1 cup peanut oil and heat until the oil is very hot. Lower the noodles into the oil to form a nest and let them cook until brown on one side. (This may take 8 minutes or so.) Turn the noodles over and brown on the other side. (This will be much faster.) Remove to a large serving platter and keep warm.

Cook the scallops very briefly in the same oil, remove and drain in a colander. Turn the heat off under the oil and add the beef. Stir just until the meat slices are separated and start to change color. Remove to drain with the scallops.

Pour off all the oil but 1/4 cup and heat. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the seasoned stock and bring to a boil. Mix the reserved mushroom soaking liquid with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until dissolved and stir into the chicken stock sauce. Stir until it thickens and clears slightly. Add the beef and scallops, then the wine and cook just until heated through. Pour over the noodles and serve garnished with the egg shreds.

Posted by Stephen Ceideburg December 18 1990.

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