The Spiralizer Makes Vegetables Fun and Delicious

Fact: I love cooking gadgets. So when I got a spiralizer for Christmas, I was really excited! It’s turned out to be one of my favorite tools in the kitchen. The spiralizer makes it really easy to make delicious, healthy, low carb meals, perfect for those of us still sticking to our 2016 resolutions. I’ve experimented with a number of vegetables, but so far, my best dishes have been made with spiralized zucchini or yellow squash. The texture of the squash is similar to pasta, it easily takes on any number of flavors, and cooks in a matter of minutes. An added plus, spiralized vegetables are really fun for kids that may need a little convincing that vegetables are actually enjoyable!

My most recent success was Chicken Lo Mein with Zucchini Noodles. Quick, easy and so much more satisfying that traditional Chinese take-out. Throw out those menus in the drawer, get inspired, and give this a try! It can be made on a whim using any variety of vegetables and proteins.

Chicken Lo Mein with Zucchini Noodles

Serves 2

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Prep your vegetables, protein, and sauce so that you can put this dish together quickly. You’ll be eating in no time!

For the Lo Mein (Zoodles):

2 zucchini/yellow squash, spiralized

1 carrot, shredded

½ red onion, sliced

1 can diced water chestnuts

1 tablespoon grated ginger

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 chicken breast, sliced into strips

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tsp cornstarch (optional if you like a thicker sauce)

Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

Sesame seeds and scallions, for garnish

1. Spiralize your zucchini/yellow squash and set aside.

2. Shred or julienne your carrot, set aside.

3. Thinly slice your onions, roughly the same size as your carrots (for even cooking time)

4. Grate your ginger (I like using a microplane for this), set aside.

5. Mince your garlic, set aside.

6. Slice your chicken breast into thin strips, season with salt and pepper, set aside.

7. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a dish and set aside.

8. Heat one to two tablespoons of grapeseed oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add your chicken and sauté for 2-3 minutes, add in the onions and sauté for a minute, add the garlic and ginger and saute for another minute, careful to not burn the garlic. Add your carrots, saute for a minute. Add sauce mixture to pan and allow 1-2 minutes to reduce and thicken. Add in your water chestnuts and zuchinni and toss to coat and warm through, about two minutes (careful not to overcook!).
9. Plate the lo mein and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.

After enjoying a delicious meal like this, you’ll be inspired to check out The Chopping Block's brand new gourmet retail shop in the Merchandise Mart for our Mastrad Spiralizer ($14.95) and other fun cooking tools. 

If you love these Asian flavors, check out our Chinese New Year Feast cooking class on February 8^th at the Merchandise Mart or our Teen’s Chinese class at Lincoln Square on February 15^th.