Hi. I want to make chicken lo mein tonight but I don't have sesame oil..can I substitute that?

Question

I have everything else I need & I REALLY have no desire to go to the grocery store. I do have soy sauce, tamari sauce, rice vinegar. If I can't make the lo mein without the sesame oil do you have any suggestions on a good dish I can make with what I've got? THANK YOU! :-)

Answer 1

There's usually only a tiny amount of sesame oil in recipes...in stir-frying, it's not the "main" frying oil; it's just added as flavoring. A very small amount of sesame oil goes a LONG way. The actual frying oil is usually peanut or sunflower oil.

If you happen to have any actual sesame seeds in your cupboard, you can just dry-toast them (in a frying pan on the stovetop), and throw them into the dish at the last minute. Just put them in the pan, over medium-high heat, and shake the pan until the seeds are barely browned. The MOMENT you smell them cooking, take them off the heat, or they'll burn. The toasting releases the volatile oils in the seeds, and thus the flavor (actually, sesame oil is usually made from toasted sesame seeds).

If you haven't got seeds, either, you can just omit sesame altogether. The dish will still taste good. (and the next time you're shopping, don't forget the sesame oil!)

Answer 2

Yes, chicken lo mein doesn't require sesame oil, it's just a preference. Use any other oil, veg or olive. I rarely cook, but if I do, I just use whatever is in the fridge, it usually comes out pretty tasty.

Answer 3

Just add a little of another oil, but add more of soy sauce, tamari, and rice vinegar.

Answer 4

This is what I usually do when I ran out of sesame oil. I "fried" some chopped garlic OR shallots, preferably, soak them in oil for 30 minutes, overnight OR microwave on high for 1 minute. Use the fragrant oil for your lomein stir frys, and keep the remaining for other stir frys. It is really fragrant and makes your food tasty.

Cheers,
http://www.meltingwok.com

Answer 5

Off course you can, But sesame oil has a very unique taste that can be the key to a recipe.

Answer 6

Chicken Balls with Chow Mein

Answer 7

All fruits are fresh vegetables. A "vegetable" is a plant, any part of which is employed for food.

Answer 8

In the superstore, fruits are usually picked out far too soon. Some are rocks, many are bad. Some of the fruit and vegetables are generally right (zucchini, onions, garlic, lettuce, greens, and a few others) so I'd have to go with vegetables.

Answer 9

Peanut oil? Olive oil?

Answer 10

just use the soy sauce and call it some kind of a stir-fry