Yakisoba

Z. and I try to always have the pantry stocked with a number of ingredients that can be used to create a quick meal. If we can make a reasonably healthy meal for less than a dollar speedily, it is hard to justify going out for french fries. One of these quick-meal ingredients are noodles from the Asian market. I am sure noodles like this can be found from the regular grocery store. These noodles are yummy and only take 4-5 minutes to cook. I would look for wheat noodles. Yes, it is impossible to remove words like "yummy" from my lexicon when speaking about food.

I have to admit, I have never cooked this dish myself. Z. has always made yakisoba for us. Sometimes I chop the vegetables but in this case, Z. prepared everything. I am awfully spoiled! Stir-fry sauce works great in this dish but for something a little different that works just as well in stir-fry is hoisin sauce. Enjoy!

White vinegar, hoisin, and soy sauce

Hoisin Sauce, serves 2
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar, rice vinegar or white vinegar
1/2-1 tablespoon soy sauce

Mix ingredients in a small bowl or cup, set aside.

Yakisoba
vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, onion, baby corn, water chestnuts
garlic, minded finely to taste
noodles
hoisin sauce or stir-fry sauce

1. Begin by preparing all the vegetables and making the sauce, set aside.
2. Cook noodles according to package directions. Under cook by one minute. The noodles can be cooked before starting the vegetables but I suggest cooking the noodles first.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add vegetables with the longest cooking time first. For example, start by cooking the onions 3-4 minutes stirring occasionally, then add carrots, peppers and any other vegetables for 2-4 minutes. Last I add any garlic or ginger and any vegetables that only need to be warmed through like baby corn or water chestnuts, cook 2-3 minutes more.
4. Just before the vegetables are  completely cooked, add the cooked noodles to the pan, using a wood spoon or chop sticks, gently separate the noodles and combine them with the vegetables. 
5. After the noodles are heated, about 1-2 minutes of cooking, add the sauce. Carefully coat the noodles and vegetables with the sauce cooking 1-2 minutes more. 
6. Serve. If desired, garnish with sesame oil, sesame seeds, or cilantro. Get creative! Pickled peppers and radish work great, too.