Quick and Easy Shrimp Lo Mein at Home

We love this Recipe for its versatility with using Ingredients from our Fresh Produce Boxes

I have the privilege of being able to cook through the White Grass Cross Country Skiing book and to share their recipes with you. It’s such an honor and I can’t wait to share one of my favorite things (this cookbook) with you.

We’re starting off with their lo mein. Shrimp lo mein is so versatile and puts your Fresh Produce box to good use; especially this week. We have the perfect additions: bok choy, spinach, Tokyo turnips, and carrots for a little crunch. I decided to add deveined shrimp to this easy dish. The shrimp cook up, over medium heat, in just 2-3 minutes. In my opinion, they’re worth these extra couple of minutes. But you can easily omit to make a vegetarian or vegan dish.

The savory sauce that gets added is a perfect for showcasing our fresh, local ingredients. So feel free to get creative. This is a great way to use different vegetables like red bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms, green onions, or any other veggies you have hiding in your fridge and need to put to use.

This homemade shrimp lo mein is a fantastic alternative to Chinese takeout. It’s void of any oyster sauce or hoisin sauce, and uses spaghetti noodles in place of special stir-fried noodles; making it easy to prepare yourself with what you’re likely to have on hand. You’ll have full control over the quality of ingredients, the level of spiciness, all while dining in the comfort of your home.

Benefits of Using Fresh Ingredients

When you use fresh ingredients from our online market, not only are you supporting our small business but you’re also supporting a number of local farms too. We love that you’re investing in the flavor and quality of your meals while creating memories around the dinner table.

Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

(I geared the recipe ingredients below to line up with this week’s offering – the veggies in the recipe ingredients differ from those in the photo).

Ingredients You’ll Need

1/2 lb linguini or spaghetti noodles
2 tbs oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 cup cauliflower
2 carrots, sliced thin
1 cup red bell pepper
1 cup sliced fresh mushroom
1 cup fresh spinach
bok choy, chopped
1/2 cup Tokyo turnips, chopped
*Appx 25 Frozen or fresh shrimp – peeled, deveined and tails off.

Sesame Garlic Sauce
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
3 tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

In a large pot, boil water and cook noodles according to package.
Meanwhile, heat oil in wok or large sauté pan and add onion and garlic stirring constantly for a minute.
Add cauliflower, turnips, carrots, pepper, mushrooms, bok choy. Wait a minute in between adding each vegetable.
Meanwhile, in a small saute pan over med heat, add 1 tbsp oil and cook shrimp until pink all the way through.
To make the sesame garlic sauce: Combine all ingredients and mix. I like to use a mason jar with a lid so that I can easily store any extras in the fridge.
Add spinach to the vegetables for a quick cook (careful not to over cook).
Pour 1 cup sesame garlic sauce over veggies and cook for another minute.
Add cooked noodles and cooked shrimp. Toss all to mix well. Serve hot. Serves 4.

Tips and Variations

Making it Spicy

For those who crave some heat, this recipe can easily be adjusted to include a spicy element. Add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce, chili oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes into the mix for a kick of spice.

Vegetarian or Vegan Options

Shrimp can be replaced with tofu for a satisfying vegetarian or vegan version.

Experiment with Veggie Varieties

Lo mein is a versatile dish that can accommodate various vegetables. Try snap peas or snow peas, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, bean sprouts or Napa cabbage to add your own twist and make each preparation unique.

Conclusion

The great thing about this recipe is its versatility to help cook through your Fresh Produce Box. All you need is tender vegetables and this delicious stir fry sauce to make a delicious meal. If you try this recipe, please share your local market creations with us by tagging @asimplerplace. We love to see our friends enjoying the best that local produce has to offer.

Friendly reminder – you can print out the recipe card below to always have on hand.

Happy cooking!

Looking for vegetables for your next delicious shrimp lo mein? Here’s a link to our Fresh Produce Box – Order Here!