Chinese "Fake Out'"

There aren't too many people out there who don't enjoy good Chinese take out food. Chinese food is full of bright colorful veggies, meat and wonderful seasonings. Unfortunately not all of us are close enough to  great Chinese take out place. Even if you are close enough to said Chinese restaurant price for an order of Beef Lo-Mein about $9.50 on average. Not exactly cheap eats especially if you want to feed the whole family since those cute little take-out cartons only feed one  person. Let's be honest a lot of times after we eat that cute container of Lo-Mein we're still hungry. This sent me on a quest to create a cheap and kid friendly Lo Mein recipe that is quick, easy and great tasting to boot.
I decided to use thin spaghetti noodles instead of the traditional lo-mein noodle. Thin spaghetti is more easily accessible than actual lo-mein noodle and often times cheaper. Add to this some beef, veggies and sauce you to can replicate Beef Lo-Mein too.

Kid Friendly Beef Lo-Mein
1 1.5 pound beef skirt steak cut into thin strips (if your meat is partially frozen it cuts easier)
1 16 oz bag frozen California Blend Style vegetables
2 cloves garlic minced

8 ounces of thin spaghetti broken in half, cooked and drained

Sauce
1/4 cup beef stock
1/4 cup Teryaki Sauce/Marinade
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons MSG powder (optional- if you don't have it don't worry about it.) 

Oil for frying
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1. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat until a drop of water sizzles in it. While the pan heats up combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.  Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and swirl to coat. Add beef strips and cook until almost done stirring constantly. When meat is almost done add the minced garlic and continue to cook until done.

2.Add frozen vegetables and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes. Cover with lid and lower heat to medium. Cook for 7-9 minutes or until vegetables are cooked.

3. Add cooked and drained thin spaghetti to meat and vegetable mixture. Add sauce and stir to coat. Cook until heated through.

4.  Serve in bowls with extra teriyaki sauce to pour on if desired.

There you have it. A quick, tasty and kid friendly lo-mein that's easy to make.

Until next time...