Chicken Mushroom Lo Mein

Seems like not much is interesting and fun when cabin fever sets in and it has. All of the cold, snow, and wind has me tamped down. About as far as I get these days is out to the mailbox!! Maybe to the store once a week. I keep busy with my "projects" and they can be fun, but when it comes to mealtime it is a challenge to come up with something a little different and not stay down in the "rut" of same old thing all of the time.

Last night I scored a good one though!! I had some boned chicken thighs in the freezer and they led the way. Stir fried with fresh ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes and companion ed with fresh mushrooms, onions, and bean sprouts they were a flavorful and healthy meal.

Here is what you'll need:

4 boned chicken thighs sliced for stir fry and fat removed
1 t. cornstarch
1/2 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper

Stir the dry ingredients together and mix into the chicken, set aside.

4 ribs of celery sliced
1 lg. onion diced
1 bunch green onions sliced on the diagonal 1/2" including tops
8 Oz. fresh bean sprouts
8 Oz. fresh sliced mushrooms
2 cloves of fresh garlic chopped
3 T. fresh grated ginger
pinch of hot pepper flakes
6 Oz. cooked and drained Chinese noodles or spaghetti
2 t. sesame oil
3-4 T. Canola, Grape seed, or Peanut oil for frying
1/2 C. chicken stock or water
3 T. soy sauce
1 t. rice wine vinegar
1 T. Sake or Vodka
1 T. cornstarch

Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse in cool water, sprinkle with 2 t. sesame oil and toss until coated. Set aside.

Heat wok or large flat bottomed pan over medium high heat until when you place your hand 2-3" above the bottom it feels like a hot radiator with the heat radiating from it. DO NOT TOUCH THE HOT PAN. .

Place the oil in the pan and swirl it around well. Add the chicken spreading it across the entire hot surface and stir fry until lightly browned. Remove the chicken and set it aside. Add a little more oil if you need to and add the diced onion and celery (not the green onion). Stir fry 2-3 minutes and add the garlic, hot pepper flakes, and ginger. Add the chicken back in and stir well. Add the mushrooms and stir fry 2-3 minutes then stir in the sprouts. Reduce the heat

Stir together in a cup or small bowl the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, Sake, and cornstarch until well dissolved. Add to vegetables and chicken and stir until slightly thickened. Stir in noodles and green onion slices until heated through and serve with additional soy sauce on the side.