Chicken Chow Mein (Guyanese)

guyananese-chickenchowmein Guyanese Chicken Chow Mein is a staple food in this most interesting country. The Chinese came to Guyana as laborers after the British abolished slavery. Although most of the Chinese have left, their mark on the cuisine is permanent. This dish is made for special occasions or available as take-out, and it is delicious. Of course you can use whatever vegetables or meat the you like, this was made with chicken. Cassareep, is a Guyanese dark sauce made from cassava. It’s traditionally made by the indigenous peoples (Amerindians) of Guyana and makes stews and almost any dish you would add soy sauce to, taste amazing.

1 pkg dried Chow mein noodles
1½ lbs chicken thighs, boneless
1 small onion, thinly sliced
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1½ bell peppers (red, green, yellow), thinly sliced
1 carrot, julienned
1 cup petite green beans, cut into 2" pieces
1 cup sweet corn
½ head broccoli, speared
½ head cauliflower, speared
⅓ green cabbage, thinly shredded
5 scallions, finely chopped
1 wiri-wiri pepper

Chicken Seasoning:
1 Tbsp. dried thyme
1 Tbsp. cassareep or soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. mustard
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground

Follow the instructions on the packet to cook the noodles.

Chop chicken into 1" chunks. Then season with thyme, cassareep or soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, salt, mustard, black pepper. Set aside and let marinade for about 5 minutes.

Prepare the vegetables. Then in a skillet or wok large enough to hold everything, warm oil on medium heat. Add onions and cook until onions are brown and soft. Then increase heat to high. Add seasoned chicken and cook until chicken is fully cooked.

Add vegetables including chili pepper and cook for another 5 minutes or so, constantly turning for even cooking. Add the peppers and cook for 3 minutes. Peppers should be crunchy after cooking.

Then add the cabbage and the noodles. Toss together then add chopped scallions. Remove from heat, remove the hot chili pepper and serve hot.

Makes 4 servings.