the best skin of your life

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

Enjoy a delightful Chicken Chow Mein with a delicious homemade sauce. This classic dish combines tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory noodles, all tossed together in a flavorful Chow Mein sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner or an impressive meal for guests, this Chicken Chow Mein is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings and leave everyone wanting more.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

Our Chicken Chow Mein truly shines with its wonderful combination of flavors and textures. Tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and hearty noodles unite in perfect harmony, all brought to life by a homemade Chow Mein sauce that elevates the dish. Each bite offers a delightful balance of sweetness, saltiness, and umami, ensuring you’ll keep coming back for more. Additionally, it’s simple to customize with your choice of vegetables and proteins, making it easy to create a meal that suits your preferences perfectly.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

For the Chow Mein Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water

For the Chicken Chow Mein:

  • 8 ounces Chow Mein noodles or spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • 1 cup snow peas, trimmed
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

  • Cook the Noodles: Prepare the Chow Mein noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside.
  • Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and chicken broth (or water) until well combined. Set aside.
  • Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and sliced onion, stir-frying for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the sliced bell pepper, julienned carrot, and snow peas, then stir-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
  • Combine: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked Chow Mein noodles. Pour the prepared Chow Mein sauce over the mixture, tossing everything together until well coated and heated through.
  • Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish the Chicken Chow Mein with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy!

COOKING TIPS FOR CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

  • Easier Noodles: To make the noodles easier to stir-fry, use kitchen shears to cut them into shorter strands before cooking.
  • Flavorful Chicken: For added flavor, marinate the sliced chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Customize Vegetables: Feel free to adjust the vegetables according to your preferences or what you have on hand. Broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, and bean sprouts all make excellent additions.
  • Adjust Sweetness: Modify the amount of brown sugar in the sauce to match your taste—add more for sweetness or reduce for a less sweet flavor.
  • Spice It Up: For a spicy kick, mix in a teaspoon of chili paste or Sriracha into the Chow Mein sauce.

VARIATIONS FOR CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

  • Shrimp Chow Mein: Substitute shrimp for chicken for a delightful seafood variation.
  • Vegetable Chow Mein: Omit the meat and load up on colorful vegetables for a tasty vegetarian option.
  • Beef Chow Mein: Thinly slice beef steak and stir-fry until cooked through, then add it with the vegetables and noodles.

MAKE IT HEALTHIER

  • Noodle Alternatives: Opt for whole wheat or brown rice noodles as a healthier alternative to traditional Chow Mein noodles.
  • Add More Veggies: Increase the vegetable content and decrease the noodles for a lower-carb meal.
  • Lean Proteins: Choose lean protein sources such as chicken breast or tofu instead of higher-fat cuts of meat.

DIY WATERMELON FACE MIST TO MAKE YOUR SKIN GLOW

Is there any fruit more refreshing than watermelon? It’s the ultimate summer snack, but this juicy treat does more than just quench your thirst—it can also soothe overheated skin. While fresh, in-season watermelon is a seasonal delight, you can enjoy the benefits of watermelon skin care any time of year. Instead of buying it, why not make your own?

Whenever you crave that summer vibe (or all year round), this refreshing mist recipe is here to help! While you may not be able to bottle the sensation of biting into a fresh watermelon, this mist comes pretty close. Read on to discover how to create this delightful mist!

BENEFITS OF WATERMELON FOR SKIN CARE

You might be wondering what benefits watermelon mist offers for your skin and whether watermelon skincare is more than just a trend.

The truth is, watermelon isn’t just a summer favorite; it’s a valuable addition to your skincare routine. This refreshing fruit is packed with lycopene, a crucial carotenoid that helps protect our skin from sun damage. In fact, some sunscreens are formulated using lycopene extracted from watermelon!

While the exact amount of lycopene in processed watermelon extract isn’t fully known, and nothing can replace a well-formulated sunscreen, watermelon still brings a wealth of benefits to your skin.

Beyond its carotenoid content, watermelon is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that promote healthy, radiant skin. And let’s be honest—a glowing complexion is what we all want, especially when it comes to achieving that coveted watermelon glow!

Other benefits of watermelon for skin care:

Watermelon is packed with vitamins, solutes, and amino acids that are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Notably, it’s particularly rich in citrulline, an amino acid that supports collagen production. This makes it a great choice for boosting skin elasticity.

Additionally, watermelon can help reduce inflammation and redness after sun exposure, making it a perfect post-sun treatment. Its high vitamin C content not only brightens the skin but also plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis. Plus, with its significant lycopene content, watermelon aids in repairing UV damage.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the skin benefits of watermelon.

It’s becoming increasingly clear why a watermelon facial mist (along with other DIY watermelon skincare products) can enhance your skincare routine.

WATERMELON EXTRACT IN SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

The maximum recommended concentration for watermelon fruit extract in skincare is only about 0.5%. This is why many commercially available watermelon cosmetics often include added fragrance to enhance the scent. Without fragrance, these products would lack the appealing watermelon aroma that attracts consumers.

While products that smell like candy can be tempting, those of us with sensitive or reactive skin often avoid fragrances due to potential irritation. This caution can also apply to anyone conscious of the health and environmental implications of synthetic fragrances.

In my DIY watermelon face spray, even though I wish it had the same delightful candy scent that some commercial products, like Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow line, are said to have, it doesn’t. Instead, it offers a light, fruity aroma that is entirely natural and free from synthetic fragrances that could irritate your skin.

DIY WATERMELON FACE MIST RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

  • 91.5 ml distilled water (see notes)
  • 5 g vegetable glycerin or propanediol
  • 2 g Linatural natural preservative
  • 1 g aloe vera 200x powder
  • 0.5 g watermelon powder fruit extract
  • Pinch of pink beet powder

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

  • 1 g allantoin powder
  • 1 g panthenol liquid
  • 1 g sorbitan oleate

EQUIPMENT

  • Glass lab beakers
  • Cosmetic scale (0.1 g precision)
  • Pipettes for measuring
  • Mini stainless steel whisk
  • Small funnel
  • 4 oz fine mist spray bottle (see notes)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Sanitize Your Workspace: Ensure all tools, equipment, and your work area are clean and sanitized. Wash everything with hot, soapy water and then spray with 70% alcohol. Allow to dry thoroughly.
  • Mix Glycerin and Watermelon Powder:
    • Weigh the vegetable glycerin into a small beaker.
    • Add the watermelon powder and whisk to combine.
  • Incorporate Aloe Powder:
    • Gradually sprinkle the aloe powder into the glycerin mixture, whisking well to prevent clumping.
  • Add Beet Powder:
    • Stir in the pink beet powder until fully dissolved.
  • Include Optional Ingredients:
    • If using, add allantoin, panthenol, and sorbitan oleate at this stage.
  • Combine with Water:
    • Add the distilled water and gently whisk to blend all ingredients.
  • Add Preservative:
    • Finally, mix in the preservative gently.
  • Transfer to Bottle:
    • Pour the mixture into your fine mist spray bottle, and your face spray is ready to use!

RECIPE NOTES

  • Safety & Cleanliness: It’s crucial to ensure all tools and surfaces are sanitized to avoid bacterial contamination in homemade skincare.
  • Storage & Shelf Life: Store your watermelon spray in a cool, dark place or in the fridge for an extra cooling effect. It’s best to use the spray within six months to minimize contamination risks.
  • Batch Size: This recipe yields 100 ml of face mist, which fits perfectly in a 4 oz spray bottle. If you prefer a specific bottle type, the one shown in the photos is from Rail19, though they currently offer only larger sizes.
  • Measuring Ingredients: The total weight of your ingredients should equal 100 g. If you’re adding optional ingredients, subtract their combined weight from the water. Remember, 1 ml of water equals 1 g. For example, if you add 3 g of optional ingredients, reduce the water to 88.5 ml.
  • Ingredient Substitutions: You can use liquid watermelon extract instead of watermelon powder, allowing for a higher percentage (1 to 3%) compared to the powder’s maximum of 0.5%.

CONCLUSION

With this simple DIY watermelon face mist, you can easily incorporate the refreshing and hydrating benefits of watermelon into your daily skincare routine. This natural and affordable recipe is perfect for all skin types, especially those seeking a radiant and glowing complexion. So, why not give it a try and experience the transformative power of watermelon on your skin? Remember, a little natural care can go a long way in achieving a healthy and beautiful you.