Takeaway Style Chicken Chow Mein But CHEAPER!
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2022
- I have a right bobby dazzler for you fine folks, an easy to make chicken chow mein that tastes just like the takeaway! And the best bit, is it comes in at around £2 per portion, and a hefty portion at that. I am also here to tell you, that if you have ever tried to make chicken chow mein at home and it just doesn't quite taste the same. It's because of one simple ingredient that's missing, and that's MSG or monosodium glutamate. Now don't be scared of it, there's a lot of myths and untruths that surround it, so go grab yourself a bag and make this takeaway style chicken chow mein. Another secret to getting that takeaway flavour is using dark soy sauce not light. The main differences between the two are that light soy is more salty and brighter in flavour, whereas dark soy is less salty and richer in flavour. It gives the chicken chow mein a nice dark colour and a deeper flavour.
You could also make this even cheaper by using chicken thighs instead of breasts, and also by hunting around in the reduced section at your local supermarket. I bought most of the ingredients from lidl for a total cost of £5.36, and for the amounts used in this, brings it in way under £5 for 2 hungry people. Which when you factor in that a chicken chow mein from the takeaway is between £5-£6 for one, this is excellent value and means you can have the same flavours at home for a lot less.
#budgetrecipes #costofliving #chickenchowmein
To make my budget chicken chow mein for 2 you will need:
►About 200g of dried medium egg noodles (pre cook for about 2 mins)
►1 medium sized white onion chopped
►2 medium sized chicken breast sliced thin
►About 3 tbsp of dark soy sauce
►1/2 tsp of salt (taste and adjust if needed)
►1/2 tsp of MSG
►A good couple of handfuls of beansprouts
►A few sliced spring onions for garnish (optional)
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Here in the Netherlands inflation is almost 11 percent and the energy bill has doubled. Many people struggle to make ends meet. Thanks for your great videos. They are an inspiration to make life a little easier. Adam, never change because we need people like you.
Graag gedaan my friend. Its all so depressing isn't it, but I'll keep doing what I'm doing to help.
My Brother in Dutch Suffering, if you ever in need, do not fear to ask. I would share my last sandwich.
Same in the UK, as normal we don't get political, we just do what we must!
Inspired as ever, thank you Adam, just the idea I was looking for👍
No problem my friend. Enjoy
Bloody legend mate - keep on making many others smile and enjoy fella....
Hello from Canada..I made this and is was perfect👍👍👍 Thank you so very much. All the best to you.
Great recipe. Thank you Adam
You're welcome ❤️
Looks fab! Looking forward to making this one!
Its banging not gonna lie. I smashed the lot as well off camera 😂
Don’t ever change Adam, your a star! Looking forward to this one and I’ve not even finished the video 🤣
Thank you John mate 😁
I'm loving this series. We all need to make our money stretch as far as possible. These meals go a long way to help. Thank you so much. 😁
You're most welcome. I've got a cost of living livestream tomorrow if you have any questions about food/cooking 🤗
You rock Adam! Thank you for your entertaining & informative videos. Love your recipes! I'm a fan from New Jersey in the USA. 👍
You're welcome mate, appreciate the support 👍
Just made this and absolutely delicious
The quality and taste continues. Brilliant video Adam.
Cheers Erol mate
Excellent videos Adam. This one looks so easy. Think ill whack some frozen peas and sliced mushroom in as well. Cant wait.!!
Hi Adam, I'm so pleased your mission to get the bean sprouts was successful, you went the extra mile ( literally ) for your subscribers and it's much appreciated. As usual this looks absolutely delicious. I make your sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice once a week, now I can add this to the meal as well. Bless you and thanks for sharing..
It was a heck of a mission, but worth every moment. Happy to be helping you all x
Hi Adam…..thanks for another great idea for tea and my lot would eat this meal…..got everything in bar the beansprouts…..Aldi in the morning 👍
Cheers mate, hope you all like it. Can use up any leftover roast chicken from Sunday, add extra veggies. Can mix it up if you like
Nice one Adam, thank you sir.
No problem Stan 😊
Oh Adam i love recipes like this. I was looking for an idea, for a meal for later this week and I think I found one. Might add more veggies but we will see
No problem my friend. Sliced carrots, green beans, cabbage, peppers etc all work great in this if you want some extra veg
Nice one Adam looks v tasty ….Cheers 🍻🍻…..keep em coming 😋
Cheers Peter!
I've started using MSG awhile back coz of one of your videos. I've also turned a few friends onto it as well. It makes a huge difference!!!! Love it! And you! And Mogs! 🥰🥰🥰
Yes Queen! If you are on twitter, look for a lovely lady called MiMi Aye. She has a wealth of knowledge on msg, and Burmese food. X
you make the best recipes !
Thank you 🙏
That looks yummy. I agree, MSG is the secret. Great recipe, thanks Adam.
Thank you my friend
I make this all the time. I Love it!!!!!!! 😋😋😋😋😋
Looks great as ever 👍🏻
I'm another MSG lover- Knorr do Aromat which is MSG with herbs, more suited to European flavours, and if you ever see their Plein Sud one it's the French veggie version. Worth a try 🙂
Cheers mate, I'll keep an eye out for that.
Didn't know you were from Leicester! I spent a lot of summers, Christmas's and Easters in Enderby! Love your channel mate, lots of great recipes that I love making!
cool! A lot of my family are from around that area. Blaby, countesthorpe etc
@@Adam_Garratt Very cool mate! Well like I said, love the channel, some really awesome recipes on here! Keep up the great work! I am a definite subscriber and have been for a while now
I just made this chicken chow mein for dinner last night for my wife and I and it was fantastic. I had it for leftovers today for lunch and it was even better. I always bust out laughing while watching your channel and you inspired me to try this recipe. I haven't cooked a proper sit-down meal in almost 30 years (unless you count heating cans of chili and refried beans), since my wife enjoys doing all the cooking and she's good at it. Anyway, I followed this recipe to the letter, with no input or help from my wife (just you and me, buddy). And I EVEN DID THE DISHES AFTERWARDS (which actually took longer than making the meal). Just wanted to let you know that we both loved it and I'm looking forward to cooking more of your recipes and getting back into the kitchen.
Wow stoked to hear you cracked it after 30 years mate! Isn't it one of the best feelings cooking a meal for someone you love.
@@Adam_Garratt Sure is a great feeling. I used to do a lot of cooking before we got married and I realized how much I missed it. Now she's looking forward to me making more of your recipes. Next up, chicken fried rice. Followed by any recipe of yours with MSG!
Well done mate bet the wife was in shock keep cooking
I've got an addiction to Chow Mein, so thank you for the recepie, as its costing me a fortune to buy it from the take away shop. Now I can make it myself
Adam!!!!!! You found bean sprouts eventually WOOHOO!!! AND MSG what a great video and great Chicken Chow Mein recipe I LOVE it mate a definite bobby dazzler😋👍!!!!
Cheers mate!
Thankyou for making the things i grew up with, had a few years of going off my food but now my love of food is coming back thanks to you, (ex cook by the way) made this last night but with some leftover salad and fresh mushrooms it was soooo tasty, husband could not believe i had eaten, i actually had corned beef hash that i lived on, nothing else, so thankyou, your recipies are simple and 'stuff' i aways have in.
This is heartwarming to hear Libby, glad I have been able to help! People can be extremely sensitive around food, and can stir up all sorts of feelings. Glad you're getting your love of food back x
Mate I haven't made it through the video, "yet" but I'm in stitches 🤣. Fantastic sense of humour buddy, have put a smile on my face 👍❤️
Haha km glad my rants put a smile on your face buddy. Lord knows we all need a laugh right now 🤣
@@Adam_Garratt Just finished the video mate, another great meal! I swear to god this channel deserves the most success ever! Not just for the food but you too mate. All the best
@@theinnergrowthguru you're too kind mate, thank you!
Pmsl at your bean sprout mission,glad you got sorted Adam.Belta, cheap easy recipe yet again,I never used to have the confidence to cook till I seen you on U tube Adam,keep up the brilliant recipes and all the fantastic tips you give out whilst cooking.Love how you tell people where to get the ingredients aswell,massive help.
Mate I'm touched, thank you. It's always nice to hear that my help and recipes is translating into people's lives. Happy I'm helping mate. 🙏
Another great looking dish. One thing - surprised you didn't add any garlic. Definitely going to make this one - thanks Adam
You can add garlic if you like. Extra veggies as well if you have some knocking about
Great recipe mate
Cheers Paul 😁
Looks delicious. And this is the kind of thing you can customize however you want, which is the kind of thing I love making. Keep the great recipes coming. Ya'll should check out Adam's older videos too, lots of amazing easy to make food.
Thank you for the support Jim. I know it's cliché for us creators to say, but I have the best fans for sure. Love you all
@@Adam_Garratt Sure. Good people are drawn to other good people 👍
Hi Adam, as usual this looks great, can you make this maybe a day or two before and warm up in the oven, maybe in foil dishes?
I've reheated my leftovers plenty of times and it was fine. Obviously follow food safety guidelines and you should be good to go. It wouldn't be any different than having leftover Chinese takeaway the next day. If I were to re heat, I'd probably just ding it in the microwave, warm in the oven or flash it in a hot pan for a minute or 2. Enjoy mate
I’ve been using msg for years in my Chinese recipes. My food tastes just like the takeaway. 😋 Great video Adam 👍🏻💕
Yes another msg queen! 👸. Great stuff isn't it Mandy x
@@Adam_Garratt msg is great! Your chow mein looks delicious 😋💕
Hi Adam, will have to look for some msg then! I've never used it before.. the dish looked yummy!
A little goes a long way Marie, think of it like salt, you only need a little.
You had me howling! I love watching Barry Lewis but you are like an adult only version. Keep doing you xx
Haha, thanks Amy I try to entertain 😅
Thinks definitely been in the Chinese supermarket in st Matthews 😊
Hi Adam
Another great lesson but what measures of msg do you add?
Hi Tom, all measurements are listed below in the video description bud 👍
Never imagined it was so simple to make, so why so fookin expensive in the takeaway ?
This one I will definitely do.
Thanks Adam
Takeaways are all about maximising profit, which is fine. But in these times, much better to make it at home on the cheap. Take care Pete mate
My favourite looks great 👍 Adam can you make a takeaway style naan bread with the sweet taste please 🙏 😋 😀
I'll add it to the list mate and see what I can do. 😉
Thanks for this . I used Chinese 5 spice instead of msg 👍
Try an Asda superstore early soon after a delivery
Even restaurants buy loads, so therefore no stock left
Hi Adam sounds like you had a nice walk did y get your 10,000 steps in love your channel
Should you have used Sesame oil instead of vegetable oil?
Hello Adam . I'm Darren. I'm English too from London. I love your channel. Your meals are exactly how my family made it !! We did get the cheap sausages though but still had cheap dinners when I was a kid. I grew up in the 80s but icant cook like I dideven in the 80s. Should we just eat bread and butter??
Cooking well is just lots of little steps done right. And don't be afraid of making mistakes either. Even if you have just a couple of recipes under your belt that you can confidently make will make a difference. Give it a go mate, you'll surprise yourself
Chinese style cooking without MSG is like a Pizza without cheese. So glad you added it.
It's magical flavour dust. Love it
We do appreciate your dedication to getting the bean sprouts. I'd love to try this but don't hold out much hope of getting some here . Looks delicious tho xx
It was a mission not gonna lie Tina 🤣😭
@@Adam_Garratt I gathered that ❤️
That's a tasty looking dish there Adam
Craving it now, might have it for dinner tonight 😋
Sounds like u where in london rd liverpool ? Im always there shopping in t js . Glad u got ur beansprouts eventualy . X
Oh not Liverpool, I live in Leicester 😁
My mum went shopping in Wigston town centre yesterday and she only found half the things on her list. We'll be digging up worms by Christmas at this rate. Good video 👍
It's crazy, so many shops are just plain empty. The sainsburys on Humberstone gate is closing down, but even so there's just no fresh veg. Worrying times mate, I hope your mum is doing OK.
This looks great! I'm interested to see that in most of the chicken recipes that I've seen you cook, you go for breast meat. It's a marginal saving to go for thigh meat (or even boned and skinned 'drum fillets' that Aldi've started doing) but they're my preference; I think they have more flavour and don't 'dry out' in the way that breast meat can. Just adding my sixpennorth 😅.
If your in a Chinese supermarket get the Pearl River Bridge dark soy sauce. Really good - I add it to all sorts of things!
Oh I'll keep an eye out for that brand. I do love Kikkoman when I can get it
Great Video matey 👍👍
Cheers Steve mate
I don't think people understand how much of a difference msg actually makes. It was hard to picture it completely changing the flavour before I tried it, but after adding it to egg fried rice, it tastes identical to the uk takeaways
Ha ha love the rant 🤣
Looks great , love a chicken chow mien 👍🏻 what is MSG ??
Monosodium glutamate. It's good stuff, brings out savoury notes in food. All thr good Chinese takeaways use it 😉
@@Adam_Garratt thanks 👍🏻
Bean sprouts are hard to find here where I live. Fitness chicken chow mien 👍🏼❤️
I guess you could leave them out. I was determined though, I wanted my beansprouts so I wasn't gonna give up 🤣
Hi sweet, bit late watching I've got new job 😁😁 and I love chow mein thanks Adam x
Congrats on the new job Tracey! Proud of you! ❤️
@@Adam_Garratt thanks bab ❤
It’s very easy to grow your own bean sprouts. All you need is a glass jar and some mung bean seeds placed on a window sill. Rinse at least once a day. Look up proper method. You’ll never buy sprouts again. 🥰
Wow I'm gonna try that out Kate! Thank you 🙏
@@Adam_Garratt you don’t even need special seeds. I just buy a big bag of dry mung beans from our Indian grocer.
looks a treat mate 👍why do my noodles always turn into a sticky ball of mess 🤮
Probably over cooked a little. Could also be that they are not drained enough. Glad you like it Perry 😁
F-king bean sprouts 🤭 great recipe. I'm about to buy a bag of MSG 😳🤣. Will make this Tuesday. Thanks Adam x
Yes msg Queen! 👸 I hope you like it Gaynor ❤️
Thanks again Adam for the recipe. We made it last night as promised and it was absolutely delish! MSG is definitely the way to go 😋 xx
Great vid! If you don't have at least 3 drinks are you really even try'n? lol Take care and have a great Sunday!
Exactly! 🤣
Could you make egg fried rice restaurant style to accompany this?
I bought some MSG in the local asian supermarket and I have to say - it was quite a lot more expensive than that by weight. But I did get a very small jar. We only need a bit after all. Great vid. Making this tomorrow, albeit with some cooked and shredded chicken from the freezer. Never know, I might add a bit of Mr Naga. ;-)
I think the jars are more expensive than the pouches. I guess it depends where you get it. I paid about 2 quid for a 200g pouch, and it's lasted about a year.
@@Adam_Garratt The only pouches were much bigger and cost much more. It doesn't bother me - it will be stale before I use it.
And I have to say - this inspired me to make a nice meal. I might have used roasted and shredded chicken breast, a bit of garlic, a bit of Oyster sauce, bit of Mr Naga - and some thin 'chow mein noodles' from the asian store. So not quite What You Wrote. It was good! But the thin 'chow mein noodles' were a pain, I think fatter egg noodles like you used would be easier to stir into the mix. Next time! Not as if I used 100g of MSG ... ;-)
The multi-cultural metropolis that is Leicester. Big up the East Midlands. Thanks Adam
That looks awesome brother, I love the deep rich color from the dark soy sauce, I’ve never had the dark soy. Msg doesn’t scare me, but I think it’s been banned in the states hasn’t it? I think I remember back in the late 70’s or 80’s some big hubbub about it here. Thank you Adam. 😁
Yes there was some pseudo scientist that made claims that Chinese takeaway food gave you headaches, but was completely unfounded and debunked. For some reason though it stuck in people's minds and many still just assume it's bad for you. I mean salt is bad for you if you have too much, same with msg. You just use a little.
@@Adam_Garratt that’s right, I remember now. Thanks Adam.
Where did you get the msg from? Looks great
You can get it from all good local Chinese/Asian stores or online. Amazon sell it too if you prefer. I can't say if I've seen it in any of the major supermarkets though.
Made this recently tho with more veg, nice enough it was. But guess who's had an unopened bag of msg in their cupboard. Explains why it didn't have THAT flavour. Thanks Adam.
Haha wait until you use it in your food, will be like a eureka moment.🤣.
London road Leicester? I went to university in Leicester in the 1980s and lived on Manor Road, around the corner. Small world.
That was my old place yep. Near Sheehan's music shop. Which is now sadly no more
When did the MSG go in?
Question, out of curiosity: Some people say MSG makes it a Chinese taste, but others say it's sesame oil. I have both, but which might be best?
MSG is a flavour enhancer for savoury foods. It brings out the umami properties in food. Sesame oil basically adds a flavour, but use it very sparingly as too much sesame oil can really over power and ruin a dish
@@Adam_Garratt Thank you.
Tinned bean sprouts all the way! Never have any fresh ones in sunny Wiltshire, either.
Here in US no Canned beansprouts now 10 months. I have never seen any other variety but LOL I snagged canned ones today 🙏
I've never tried canned ones, but I reckon they will be fine in this
Adam you may be surprised about how many of this generation have no clue with cooking. Never presume people know the simplest things and come to videos like yours to get instruction. I am a fairly good cook but have never done anything like this one. X
I love chicken chow mein but no longer have it….too expensive. This looks amazing. Where can I get MSG? Looked everywhere. Online maybe? Big hugs to you and little Mogs x
I hear ya Sarah. 5 to 6 quid in most takeaways. If you have a Chinese or Asian store nearby they should have some. If not, amazon have it readily available. I don't think I've ever seen it in big supermarkets but could try them. Once you get some, it lasts ages as you only need a small amount. X
Yeah we have shortages here too - $11 for a lettuce & $10 for broccoli and things are missing from the supermarket. I live in Sydney Australia
$10 for broccoli 🥦 😮
Same in Melbourne Victoria . Absolutely ridiculous hey.
Lol just listening and thought hes from Leicester after going London road and granby street . Hey presto, thurnby lodge here.
been watching for a while and never realised you was a leicester Lad too
Yip, Leicester born and raised. Well lived in Bournemouth for most of my childhood and young adult life. Moved back here in 2006.
This is a great simple recipe. How about Singapore Chou Mein? Chicken, pork and shrimps and quite spicy. Are you up for a bit of a challenge?
I had a Wok, but I fwoo it at a Wabbit. Cheers mate.
Haha cheers fella
Chinese supermarkets did not have beansprouts? Weird!
Ha, a crappy Tesco "Superstore" (it isn't!) and an Aldi. That's yer lot in my small West Country town.
Don't think I'll do the 20 mile round trip - both in opposite directions - for a large Tesco, Asda or Morrisons.
Proclaimers should release a special single 'and adam walked 500 miles for beansprouts'
The reason why I never eat Chinese is because of MSG it’s awful stuff,I feel so hungover the next day and I don’t even drink alcohol anymore. Nice recipe though Adam thank you.
without a doubt that was the nicest chow mein iv ever had
Glad to hear it fella
@@Adam_Garratt and because i control the ingredients i know its fresh and healthier than a chinese
I sympathise with you in your pursuit of the Bean Sprouts, mate, the same kind of thing has happened to me, (not an elusive recipe ingredient, but looking for a particular repair service, capable of repairing an expensive leather briefcase), which involved me driving to several distant suburbs, finding elusive parking spaces, all to no avail, wasting about 3 - 4 hours that I'll never get back. Sydney, is much more "spread-out" than your hometown, and it's virtually impossible to get anywhere without a car, but parking is a perennial problem, far more time-consuming than the actual walk to the business which you hope will be capable of providing the required service.
Bean Sprouts are easily available in all Sydney supermarkets, Asian or Western, but prices are pretty steep at the moment, a result of serious flooding in many of the areas where leafy vegetables are grown.
Anyway, your Chicken Chow Mein looks extra scrummy, as usual! 😋👍🏻
Oh mate I can sympathise. Your journey sounds much more irritating than mine 🤣
nearly right , , boil the chicken whole then cut it , takes about ten minutes , then cool and cut , then you fry it with the onion add the msg with chicken and onion not the whole lot it needs to be cooked off put in like just before the noodles you also want pearl river dark soy
😆🤣🤗
Better be some Fine damn bean sprouts!
I’ve heard people says Tesco’s before but never Lidl’s. You just did both.
Anyway, excuse the boring comment, I have to dash to Asda’s
I always love a good excuse to use chopsticks at dinner.
It makes the food taste better I swear 🤣
I can't remember where I heard or saw it, but I am sure that a chef once said that light and dark soy are different beasts, and are not as interchangeable in the way some believe.
You use dark to add flavour, and light to season!
I know that it is rarely a good idea to buy equipment you don't use that often, and I am definitely a proponent of making the best of what you already have, however a proper wok can do the job more efficiently.
For those of us who only have electricity to our homes a wok would have to be flat-bottomed - unless you want to spend hundreds on one of those special concave induction hobs specifically for woks!
For those who would use one regularly, a wok could make sense, and with ever increasing fuel costs may even pay for itself in less time than you think.
I have been pre-preparing my ingredients since I started cooking, for no other reason that I get in a right old mess if I don't. Sorry if it sounds a little OCD, but I try to place them in the order I will use them as that (mostly!) stops me realising that I should have added something earlier!
If not pre-measured, I return them to the cupboard etc after they have been used, so that hopefully I have a clear space at the end, and I know that everything which should have gone in actually has, and that I don't add anything twice by mistake!
I have also started writing my recipes quite differently, with the list of ingredients being in the order I use them, so unlike the ones you see in books, which invariably start with the main ingredient (often the meat) mine will often start with oil then onion. I also find it helpful to have whatever equipment you need to hand.
P. S. Any plans to experiment with a pressure cooker?
P. P. S. Keep up the good work and pleased to see that you are back to your usual self.
P. P. S. 2 If you know someone or a family who are struggling and were previously good in the kitchen and you can easily stand the cost of a meal - invite them around to cook for, and eat with you.
Not only does it make for a most pleasurable experience, especially if they have a different heritage, but helps someone out without sacrificing their dignity, and can help you expand your recipe bank too!
Great comment as always Neil. And yes, light Soy is more of a seasoning, dark adds flavour and richness.
@@Adam_Garratt Thanks, but any thoughts on pressure cooking being added to your repertoire?
I know that the electric instant pot multifunction type are all getting cheaper, however due to the marketing of the new types which may well have many functions of lesser importance, the old big pan types can be picked up for bargain prices, which in todays squeeze is more than helpful.
For the cost of a lid (damn it - I am mentioning lids again!) you can have a very useful large pan for soups and stocks etc.
@@neilpickup237 ah yes, my dad bought me one for my birthday. I've yet to have a play around with it but expect some warming recipes from it as it starts to get cooler and I get used to it 😁
er adam im doing this recipe tonight , go get me some bean sprouts lol
made last night was fab, whacked some king prawns in n'all, some of that cheap dark soy is carcinogenic cos of tar in it
Aha I had the same thing a month back, 5 different shops just looking for a bloody scourer😂
Thats even worse! A scourer should literally be in nearly every shop 🤣😭
“Unagi!”
I'd have skipped the bean sprouts - bloody hate them!
I very nearly didn't have a choice 🤣
What's so bad about MSG? But if they use them at the take away places it should be fine
Nothing wrong with it, there's a lot of misinformation and ignorance surrounding it. Perfectly fine and found naturally in a lot of foods such as mushrooms, celery, tomatoes and parmesan
@@Adam_Garratt cool. I've had cancer but I'm free from it now since 2018. Love Chow Mein
@@thetarantella69 good to hear pal! Onwards 😊
Hi Adam, always enjoy your cooking shows and the moans, but why do you wear an apron that looks like something Leather face from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre would wear. ?
I mean, that's a bit extreme 🤣
MSG, 😱 I can’t eat MSG I feel like I have a hangover the next day
You can leave it out if you like.
The overhead shot was a different meal.
Well spotted 🤣
I reckon you've been watching chef Jean-Pierre....
Who?