American chopsuey (vegetarian)

American Chopsuey, which is served in most restaurants across India, is essentially a vegetarian dish. The Indian version of this American dish has crispy fried noodles topped with select vegetables cooked in sweet and tangy sauce. Interestingly, vegetable chopsuey has fried noodles with similar vegetables cooked in white sauce. A mixed version also exists, where small quantities of fried noodles are blended with the white sauce, stir fried vegetables and cooked noodles.

Ingredients:
Hakka noodles -1 packet
Pizza seasoning -1tsp
Chilli flakes - 3tsps
Tomato puree - 4tblsps
Tomato sauce - 4tblsps
Garlic paste -1tsp
Corn flour -5tsps
sugar -1tsp
Onion -2
Capsicum -1/2
Spring onion -6 to 7
Green peas -50gm
Cauliflower -50gm
Salt and oil -As required

Method:
Cook the noodles as per the instruction in the pack. Do not wash it with cold water. Drain and spread it on a plate. Keep it under the fan for 15 to 20 minutes to dry. Next, dust little cornflour over it and allow it to dry further. Then, deep fry them in oil till they are crispy.

                                                  fried noodles
To prepare the sauce:
Mix 1tsp of corn flour to half cup of water. To this add the tomato puree, tomato sauce, salt and sugar. Keep it aside.
Wash and chop the vegetables. Blanch the cauliflower and peas. In a frying pan fry the onion till they turn translucent. Then add the garlic paste, pizza seasoning and chilli flakes in quick succession. Next, add the blanched vegetables. Stir cook for few seconds. Then add the corn flour mixture. Stir cook for few seconds till the vegetables are blended and the liquid reaches a saucy consistency. Pour the hot sauce over the fried noodles and serve immediately.