Veg Chowmein with Poached egg

Feels great to be back blogging. Have got a lot of ideas/recipes on what to post next. Let me update on what has been keeping me busy and happy lately.

I have been busy trying to complete the various components of my Ph.D. candidacy examination. Completed last year with the written exam and waiting with bated breath for the result. Come new year and we are back at work on day 1 - an email pops up from my advisor informing that I PASSED. Woo hoo!! I have put in a lot of hard work with lot of support from my parents and hubby. So it was like a wonderful new year gift for me from God. Felt so blessed. Let me make you privy to a little secret - having heard of horror stories from seniors and peers, I was kinda mentally prepared to re-take the exam. My principle - always be prepared for the worst rather than be over-confident, self-confidence not lacking though. :) Atleast try to follow this and not over-stress myself. Easier said than done :)

This past Monday, I got done with the computational component. Hearing the good review comments from my committee regarding my solution and the presentation was absolutely out-of-this-world feeling. A moment I will always cherish and hope the rest of the exams are also accomplished in a similar manner. Amen!

Over New Year's Eve and first few days of the year, we had my hubby's sister, her family and hubby's cousin visiting us. It was a delight having my niece and nephew running around the house. This also meant an opportunity for me to try out quite a few recipes that I have always wanted to try out. Thanks to this blog of mine, I have had a chance to try out a lot of new things and the best part is that I don't lose the recipes and don't have to search all over again for the recipes. My co-sister Debjani and my childhood friend (from Std II days, can you believe that? :)) have been trying out some of these recipes and they always have a kind word to say about my blog whenever we get a chance to catch up. You both are my blog-angels :) Thanks for all the kind words..it means a lot to me and goes a long way in keeping me pepped up about my blog, inspired and raving to try new things! God bless you both.

Over the last year, I have picked up a renewed liking for bowling. We friends hang out and catch up bowling over weekends. Still an amateur, got to go a long way in terms of learning the different strategies and throws - that does not prevent me from enjoying the game and revelling on an occasional good strike! One item that I have included in my "got to do in this lifetime" list is playing in a bowling league - I said "lifetime" not "xyz years", note? ;) In cooking, one thing that I have had repeated failures in trying to get a good consistent taste is noodles. I think I have finally made it. The recipe is shown below.


Ingredients - Serves 2

3 handful Noodles
1/2 Onion Sliced
1/2 Capsicum Sliced
1/2 cup Cabbage Shredded
Carrots and Green Beans can also be used. I did not use them.
1 tbsp Soya Sauce
1/2 tbsp Vinegar
1/2 tbsp Chili Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 to 2 tbsp Canola oil


Step 1

Boil Noodles in enough water. Take care - do not overcook.
Strain Noodles through cold water 2-3 times and drain water and set aside, add few drops of oil to the noodles to avoid sticking. Separate the noodles with hand. Make sure the noodle is cold when adding to the rest of the mixture in the next step. This will ensure the noodles remain separate. Adding hot to hot makes it mushy :(


Step 2

Heat oil in a wok and add sliced onions and stir fry for 20-30 seconds, add all other vegetables and stir fry for 2 minutes.
Add salt and pepper and mix well. Now add boiled noodles and mix well (take care that noodles don't break) .
Add vinegar, chili sauce and soya sauce and stir fry for a minute.

Serve the vegetable chowmein hot.

Note : According to taste vinegar, soya sauce and chili sauce can be increased or decreased.

Take an egg or two and poach it - sunny side up as shown in the pic. Adds to the taste. Or you can gets strips of egg omelette and mix with the noodles towards the end of the cooking process!

Enjoy!