Chapathi Noodles

Chapathi Noodles - Thinly sliced roti pieces are cooked in Chinese style and smeared in lip smacking sauces.This recipe is unique and extremely addictive that u will make it more than once for sure. This is something I make when I have leftover roti in the  refrigerator but feel like having a Chow mein and can't go out. This is healthy, low fat tangy and spicy and so its a perfect kid friendly lunch box recipe.It remains crispy and it goes very well with a side of peanut sauce,ketchup or Mayonnaise.

Ingredients :

• Chapathi - 5 to 6 
• Onion - 1 
• Green Capsicum - 1
• Red Capsicum- 1
• Cabbage - 1 cup
• Ginger - a small piece 
• Garlic - 3 to 4
• Green chilly - 2
• Soya sauce - 1 tblsp
• Red chilli sauce (optional) - 1/2 tsp
• Chilli Vinegar or Rice Vinegar - 2 tblsp
• Tomato ketchup - 2 tblsp
• Sugar - 1/2 tsp
• Chinese Sesame oil or Cannola oil - 3 tsp
• Scallion or green onion - few sprigs 

Method :

Roll each chapathi and cut them into thin slices.

Chop all veggies into very thin slices.Finely grate ginger and garlic.Slit the green chilies lengthwise.Chop green onions into small pieces.

For Chinese cooking keeping the flame high is really the key. So the pan has to be hot and cooking is done mostly in high flame to get the perfect crunchy noodles. If kept in medium or low flame the result is soggy noodles.

Take a deep bottomed pan or a wok ,add 2 tsp oil. Add garlic,ginger,green chilies,onion and saute until they are cooked but still crispy about 2 min.Add very rhinly sliced cabbage and give a stir.Add both the capsicum and and saute for just a min. 

When the veggies are half done ,add soya sauce,red chili sauce,tomato ketchup and mix well.Toss the veggies gently.

Now add thinly sliced chapathi and toss gently until it is well coated. Now keenthe flame high and add one more tsp of oil and chili vinegar. Toss them again. Don't keep stirring continuously as this might make it mushy.

Garnish with a general dose of chopped green onions. 

Veg Hakka Noodles / Chow mein Noodles with Peanut sauce

Veg Hakka noodles - Sweet and tangy noodles

Hakka noodles is a part of the Hakka cuisine which is the cooking style of Hakka people of China and Taiwan.They have a special way of cooking meats with carbohydrates.This is a simple vegetarian dish made with boiling noodles in hot water and then sautéing it with freshly stir fried veggies and sauces.

It is now a famous street food in India and part of the Indo- Chinese cuisine. Its spicy,tangy and sweet all at the same time.You can serve it with ketchup too.I love peanuts and i found that a simple peanut sauce with a cup of hot noodles are a perfect match.

Ingredients :

• Hakka noodles - 1 pack
• Onion - 1 
• Bell pepper/ Capsicum - 1
• Cabbage - 1/4
• Carrot - 1
• Green chillies - 3
• Ginger - small piece
• Garlic - 5-6 pods
• Scallion / Green onions - few strands finely chopped
• Salt 
• Oil - 3 tsp

Sweet and spicy sauce for noodles - Ingredients:

• Soy sauce - 1 tsp
• Hot sesame oil - 2 tsp
• Tomato ketchup - 1/2 tsp
• Red chili sauce - 2 tsp
• Sugar - 2 tsp
• White vinegar - 1 tsp

Peanut Sauce for dipping - Ingredients :

• Peanut butter - 4 tsp
• Soya sauce - 1/2 tsp
• Red chili sauce - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Hot Sesame oil - 1 tsp
• Water - 3 to 4 tsp

Mix all the ingredients and put them in a blender.Pulse them until smooth.Keep it aside in a small bowl.This is the peanut dipping sauce for the noodles.

Method : 

• In a large pan bring water to boil and cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and wash with cold water. Add 1/2 tsp oil and gently toss them.Keep the boiled noodles aside.
• Slice onion,carrot,capsicum,cabbage into thin slices.Finely mince ginger and garlic.
• Heat 3 tsp oil in a large open pan or wok.Add ginger and garlic and saute for a min.
• Add remaining vegetables and keep sauteeing until they are half done.They should be cooked but also crunchy at the same time.Add salt and mix well.
• Add the boiled noodles to the pan and mix the veggies and noodles.
• In a separate bowl mix all the ingredients under " Sweet and spicy sauce for noodles ". Mix them well until combined.Add this to the pan.Gently toss the noodles in this sauce.
• After 2 mins switch off the flame.
• Top these noodles with chopped scallions and coarsely chopped peanuts on top.
• The chow mein is ready to serve and enjoy.Add chopsticks for an additional touch.
• Serve with creamy peanut sauce.

A big bowl of yummy goodness

Smooth and creamy Peanut Sauce