CHICKEN SNOW PEA NOODLES

 

WHEN DID I ACTUALLY START LOVING NOODLE?

I really do not remember!I think I love it from day one of having it! That was may be in the mid 80's, when noodles reached the Kolkata "neighbourhoods", every corner of it!The China Town eateries served it then too!My family never went for fine dining! I read only in the newspaper about China Town!For us, those areas were dreaded.We had such humble lifestyle that I never missed eating outside or demanded! We did not learn to demand, neither allowed to!One reason may be this that there was always good food cooked in our family home. I had no idea about what is Chinese Food, neither craved for!I also saw in the Bengali movies there existed Western themed restaurants in Park Street and that Uttam Kumar looked ridiculous while twisting on the floor!I could not stop myself from giggling!If I craved for anything that was street food which we were not allowed until the late 80's! Towards the end of the 80's,I started getting outside food for the family and also had with friends.By 1984-85, we got the taste of noodles and the best thing to go with it was WWF & Jonny Soko & his Flying Robot!In 1989-90, may be I had Chinese Fried Rice first in my life, sitting in a cosy, little eatery and loved it! I knew ajinomoto gets that unique taste but I was soon to quit it, there was a buzz in Kolkata that it is harmful!For Oriental Food, the phrase "once in love, always in love" aptly suits in my case!But I am not generous about the extremes; cannot have flies, insects, frogs! Neither this island eats anything that move, frog they do!

WHAT ELSE A FOODIE CAN DO BUT SHOP FOOD ALL DAY?

I had to venture out today for my Saturday's client.I cannot stop at that, I end up buying this and that for my home. Its been so long I did not buy a dress for myself!Sending the buys home, I went for a long walk! That was also on a food mission.It is FOOD that motivates me!I ventured out for a Sheng Siong Super Market in this area.The directory took me almost 4-4.5km northwards. Earlier, I did go for a walk in the nearby area, if not to the exact location.These are happy lone expeditions of mine, I enjoy!I roam scot-free here without the fear of getting violated.Back home, I had a plateful of Semolina Idli I prepared in the microwave.

Cold Brewed Coffee I do keep having all day, specially back from long walks, I feel dehydrated! I could have come back home walking, but took a bus. I have a client to deliver within an hour and also a BLOGPOST to share! I went to the Sheng Siong to check if this branch too keeps Chinese Gizzard Shad & Rui Mach! On an evening walk, if I get in hand a fresh, smaller shad or rui; they would go well deep fried for dinner!

WHAT IS CHICKEN SNOW PEA NOODLES?

This kind of NON-VEGETARIAN DISHES are good as both SNACKS & MAIN MEALS!It is quick to do and encompasses our body's protein & nutrient needs; okay, to a good extent! This CHICKEN SNOW PEA NOODLE is an easy made NOODLE DISH using RICE NOODLES, SNOW PEAS & TENDER BONELESS CHICKEN STRIPS!As I have mentioned earlier, this island has ensured us safety, security & peaceful living!I felt its necessary to share a RECIPE that suits the Mid Autumn Festival!Even the Durga Pooja revellers would enjoy this. They queue in flocks to have those roadside roll & chow chow centres' food in Kolkata! How many have the ability to sit in Monica Liu's? There was a time we were regular at Tung Fong, Beijing,Big Boss and visiting Mainland China was kept exclusive, fewer times!

INGREDIENTS :

RICE NOODLE : 250-300 GM [YOU CAN USE OTHER VARIETIES]

BONELESS CHICKEN STRIP : 250 GM

SNOW PEA : 7-10

CUBED ONION : 1 SMALL TEA CUP

SLITTED GREEN CHILLI : 3-4

MINCED GARLIC : 1 TBSP

MINCED GINGER : 1 TSP

LIGHT SOY SAUCE : 2-3 TBSP

CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER : 1/4 TSP

TOMATO KETCHUP : 2 TBSP

VINEGAR : 1 TBSP

SALT : AS REQUIRED

SESAME OIL : 1 TSP 

OIL : 2 TBSP

PROCEDURE :

We will wash the chicken strips well and marinate with the vinegar, light soy sauce, crushed black pepper, little of salt for 2-3 hours!

We will blanch or soak the rice noodles in salted hot water for 3-4 minutes.

We will strain the water keeping the noodles in a colander.

We will add few drops of oil to the noodles & mix well!

We will heat the remaining oil and add the washed & minced ginger & garlic to the oil!

We will stir fry them at medium heat until light brown & add the marinated chicken!

The pictures overturned, I did not notice, you will excuse me for that!

We will stir fry the chicken at medium heat for 3-4 minutes and cover cook at low heat for another 5-6 minutes!

Thereafter, we will add the washed slitted green chillies & cubed onions and stir cook at low heat for 3-4 minutes.

Earlier, we have cut the two ends of the snow peas, washed and marinated with little of salt!

We will add them to the wok and stir cook for 2-3 minutes. They should not lose the crunch!

 

We will add the ketchup now and give a stir!

We will add the rice noodles, use two ladles to fold in well!

We will adjust the salt if required! We will add the sesame oil and fold in well.

It must be served hot & fresh!