Life noodles
This longevity noodle dish, traditionally served for birthdays or the New Year, is stir-fried with three kinds of mushrooms and Chinese chives to symbolize good fortune and long life.
Ingredients
fresh egg noodles (or one 8-ounce package dried egg noodles)
Two 9-ounce packages
vegetable oil (divided)
3 tablespoons
soy sauce
1 tablespoon
Salt (to taste)
garlic (minced (1 tablespoon))
3 cloves
Asian shallots (chopped (3 tablespoons))
3
dried black mushrooms (rehydrated, cut into ¼-inch slices (1 cup); reserve 1 cup soaking liquid)
8 medium
button mushrooms (trimmed and sliced (1 cup))
4 ounces
enoki mushrooms (trimmed and separated (1 cup))
2 ounces
oyster sauce
3 tablespoons
Chinese chives or skinny green onions (cut into 2 inch lengths (1 cup))
5
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
1
Prepare Noodles
Prepare the noodles according to package directions. Tip into a colander over the sink and rinse under cold running water. Place the noodles in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon oil, the soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. Toss and set aside.
2
Cook Vegetables
Preheat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Swirl in the remaining oil and heat until it becomes runny and starts to shimmer. Stir in the garlic and shallots and cook until fragrant, 30 to 45 seconds. Toss in the black mushrooms and button mushrooms and cook and stir until the mushrooms are almost cooked, 2 minutes.
3
Combine and Serve
Add the enoki mushrooms followed by the reserved mushroom liquid. Sprinkle with the oyster sauce and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chives followed by the noodles. Stir everything swiftly around the wok until well mixed and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with a couple more flourishes. Serve hot.
