Review: Sesame Chicken with Lo Mein & Green Beans

There's an easy way to make this recipe and a hard way. The easy way is to purchase everything pre-packaged, pre-cut, etc. but this will drive up the cost per serving. The hard way is to purchase everything and cut/prep yourself. This will drive the cost down but increase the time from start to table. I'm concerned about both so as a mid-week meal, this did not work for me coupled with the fact you need a minimum of 5 dishes/pots to cook the meal making clean-up longer.

Let's get to it...

Per Serving (2 1/3 c): Calories - 510, Carbohydrates - 62g (Fiber - 5g), Protein - 28g, Fat - 14g (Sat - 2g), Cholesterol - 25mg, Sodium - 810mg

1 - 12oz package cleaned & cut green beans OR buy bulk and snip ends yourself, kids can help
1 - 16oz package Lo Mein noodles, frozen or other, prepare to directions
1 lb seasoned chicken breast strips for stir-fry OR buy breasts and cut strips, add salt and pepper
3 tbs vegetable oil, sesame oil can be used to add more of an Asian flavor
2 cloves garlic, minced (used 6 cloves, but we love garlic in this family, it wasn't overpowering)
1 - 12oz package Asian slaw
Salt & pepper (fresh ground adds good flavor)
1 c sesame garlic sauce (used the whole bottle, there wasn't much more left after pouring the cup
1 tbs roasted sesame seeds (more can be used if you like)

1. Blanch green beans in boiling, salted water (skip the salt, you're not missing anything) for 3-4 min. Remove w/slotted spoon and set aside. Add noodles to same water, blanch for 2 min, drain and set aside <-- 3 dishes/pots right in first step
2. Drizzle 2 tbs oil in stir fry pan, tilt to distribute evenly. Heat on high until faintly smoking. Stir fry chicken 4-5 min, remove from pan and set aside <-- 2 more dishes/pots
3. Drizzle remaining oil in stir fry pan, tilt to distribute, keep heated on high, add garlic, Asian slaw and green beans. Stir and toss 2-3 min. Season w/salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add chicken, noodles, garlic sauce to stir fry pan, stir to heat through, garnish w/sesame seeds. Serve.

Feel free to add your comments, recommendations, changes, etc.