Steven is hooked on the New York Times Digital Edition. How wonderful! For he has found it to be a great source of unbiased information and thought-provoking articles.
It appears that their motto ("All the News That's Fit to Print") also applies to food related articles as well. For me, the NYT has revealed itself as a splendid source for new and innovative mushroom - and other - recipes. For example, this month's Incredible Edible features their Chinese noodle dish that's as appropriate for New Years celebrations as other momentous occasions, such as birthdays, or simply the arrival of Spring!
Be aware that tradition dictates that when preparing a dish with longevity noodles that it's best for the cook not to break or cut the noodles - for if the noodles are left intact and eaten without biting through the strands, the celebration becomes even more auspicious!
For the ultimate shiitake experience, grow your own.
They first appear as little nobs as shown in this photo!
Longevity Noodles with Chicken, Ginger and Mushrooms
12 ounces thin fresh noodles, like lo mein or tagliarini
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/4-inch-thick, bite-size slices
1 tablespoon finely shredded ginger
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
5 ounces (about 3 cups) thinly sliced Napa cabbage
4 ounces (about 2 cups) fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and discarded, caps thinly sliced
½ cup finely shredded scallions
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil over high heat and cook noodles until just done, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool, then shake well to remove water. Return noodles to pot, add sesame oil and toss.
- Put chicken in a shallow bowl and add ginger, one teaspoon rice wine, cornstarch, one teaspoon soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Mix gently to combine. In a small bowl, combine remaining one tablespoon rice wine and one tablespoon soy sauce.
- Heat a wok over high heat until a bead of water evaporates almost on contact. Swirl in one tablespoon peanut oil, add red pepper flakes and stir-fry 10 seconds using a metal spatula. Push pepper flakes aside and add chicken, spreading in a single layer to maximize contact with the wok. Let cook undisturbed one minute, until chicken begins to sear.
- Stir-fry chicken and pepper flakes together, tossing in the wok, for a minute or 2 until just done. Remove to a bowl. Add cabbage and mushrooms and stir-fry one minute until just wilted but not cooked. Empty into the bowl with chicken.
- Reheat wok, swirl in remaining one tablespoon peanut oil, and add noodles. Stir-fry 30 seconds, moving constantly to heat through. Swirl soy sauce-rice wine mixture and add to wok along with chicken-vegetable mixture and scallions. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt and stir-fry a minute or 2 until chicken and vegetables are heated through.