Jackfruit lo mein
This vegan lo mein tosses noodles with shredded jackfruit, vegetables, and a savory tamari-miso sauce. It makes an easy lunch or dinner and does not need a wok.
Ingredients
- ½ lb (227 g) uncooked thick Chinese noodles
- 1 (14-oz [397-g] ) can young jackfruit, (drained and rinsed)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sunflower oil
- 1 small onion (cut into half-moons)
- 2 cloves garlic (pressed)
- 1 tbsp (15 g) grated fresh ginger
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 6 baby bella mushrooms (thinly sliced)
- Pinch of salt
- Dash of pepper
- 2 carrots (shredded)
- 1 big or 2 baby bok choy (cut into ¼-inch (6-mm) pieces)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) tamari
- 2 tbsp (36 g) umeboshi paste
- 2 tsp (10 ml) mellow white miso
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) mirin
- 2 scallions (white and green parts, thinly sliced)
Method
- Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- To prepare the jackfruit, cut off the hard cores, remove any seeds and seed pods and discard. Shred the rest, leaving some chunkier pieces. Set aside.
- Heat a wide shallow pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sunflower oil. When it’s shimmering, add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook until the garlic and ginger are fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the jackfruit and water and use tongs to mix around. Cook with the cover askew, until most of the water is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms. Stir them into the jackfruit and onion mixture and cook, until the mushrooms start to turn golden brown, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the carrots and bok choy. Cook until the bok choy is wilted and bright green, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the noodles and toss everything together.
- In the meantime, prepare the sauce. Add the water, tamari, umeboshi paste, miso and mirin to a small mixing bowl. Break up the miso with a small silicone spatula and whisk the sauce together until completely smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the top and use tongs to mix it until everything is fully coated.
- Serve topped with scallions.