Vegetarian Chow Mein

Most people would love to try more vegetarian meals but think they lack flavor or take all day to prepare. So for Earth Day why not try this easy, tasty and full of flavor Vegetarian Chow Mein, you won't want take out again and you'll be helping the environment by going meatless for just one meal. All vegetables available at your local farmer's market, grocery or you can grow them yourself.

Make sure to check back each week as there will be more easy, tasty recipes.

Vegetarian Chow Mein

Difficulty Level: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

5-6 Stalks of celery, thinly sliced

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 stalk of lemon grass, smashed

6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

2 Teaspoons fresh grated ginger

1 can each sliced water chestnuts and bamboo shoots

2 Carrots, thinly sliced on the diagonal

10 mushrooms, thinly sliced

2 cups bean sprouts

each red, yellow pepper, thinly sliced

3-4 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal and reserved

In skillet or wok heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil. Add the smashed lemon grass until oil is hot than remove. Add vegetables and sauté for 10 minutes or until carrots are tender. Add Sherry mixture {recipe below}

Cup Dry Sherry, use drinking sherry not cooking sherry

2 Tablespoons Corn Starch

Teaspoon Soy Sauce

Mix together in bowl or measuring cup add to vegetables and stir until thickened

Serve over White Rice, Brown Rice or Quinoa topped with reserved green onions.

Also, can add thinly sliced firm tofu, either sauté in 1 tablespoon of peanut oil, remove to paper towel to drain, follow vegetable recipe. Once vegetables are prepared add tofu back until heated through.

To make this a meat eater's recipe just add:

2 fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks. Sauté chicken in 2 Tablespoons peanut oil, until browned, juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink, remove to paper towels, follow recipe above. When vegetables are ready add chicken back into mixture until heated through.

Next Week: An easy, tasty,full of flavor Cinco de Mayo Menu