DIY's / Recipes

A Chinese/Lunar New Year traditional Recipe - Longevity Noodles 

by Jacob N. Fradkin - Grade 7

A popular recipe among the chinese culture during a great time of celebration and joy-Lunar or Chinese New Year- can be known as longevity noodles which is commonly eaten because it represents the wish for a long life. The great cookbook Food and Wine by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo has a great recipe within its pages to the delicious longevity noodles. Before Eileen sadly passed in November of 2022 she had an interview with F&W about the recipe and how it is important in her life. “Longevity noodles are passed down from generation to generation,” Eileen explained. “I was so young when I learned this dish from my grandmother-it’s in my memory forever.” As you can see, Longevity noodles have been in Eileen’s life for as long as she could remember, taught to her by someone who she looked up to. Longevity noodles have that same kind of meaning to all people who celebrate this joyous holiday. Even though Longevity noodles are usually made for special occasions (more specifically, Lunar New Year) it is definitely good enough to be eaten year-round. The taste and simplicity of it really fits into the tate buds of many. They are very easy to make and don’t take up that much time or space-just 20 minutes and your done! 

Here is a recipe to this delicious meal, and how you can easily cook it at home - 

Ingredients: 

• 2 quarts of water, 

• 2 cups of fresh mung bean sprouts or soybean sprouts (about 5 oz.), 

• 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt, 

• 8 ounces of fresh Chinese egg noodles (specifically lo mein noodles), 

• ¼ cup of chicken stock or vegetable stock, 

• 1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon of light soy sauce, plus more to taste, 

• ½ teaspoon of toasted sesame oil, 

• 1 tablespoon of peanut oil, 

• 1 (¼ inch thick) slice peeled  fresh ginger slightly smashed, 

• 4 ounces of fresh snow peas (about 1 cup) strings removed, 

• 3 large (1 ounce) fresh water chestnuts-peeled and sliced about ⅛ thick (⅓ cup) or ⅓ cup drained canned sliced water chestnuts. 

Here are some easy steps on how to prepare Longevity Noodles with the ingredients provided: 

Step 1: Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan over high. Place bean sprouts in a metal strainer; lower into the boiling water, and blanch bean sprouts until it becomes crisp-tender, for about 10 seconds. Then, remove the strainer from the boiling water and rise the bean sprouts under cold water for about 30 seconds to stop it to cook furthermore, relinquishing the heat. Drain it well, then set it aside. 

Step 2: Furthermore, add salt to water in a saucepan, and return the boil to a high. Then, add noodles and return to a boil over high once again. Boil it, stir often until it is just under al dente. Do this for about 1 minute. Drain noodles thoroughly in a colander, and rinse under cold water to stop it from cooking any further, similar to what was done to the bean sprouts in step 1. Drain it, then briefly rinse again, and once again drain it lifting the noodles to separate and dry the strands. After this is done, set it aside. 

Step 3: Stir together stock, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a small bowl. After all of it is properly conjoined together set it aside. 

Step 4: Heat peanut oil in a wok over high until it becomes shimmering and fragrant; swirl to coat the wok. Add ginger, and cook continuously stirring until it is sizzling and is starting to become brown around the edges for about 10 seconds. Add snow peas, and cook stirring constantly until it turns bright green for about 1 minute. Add water chestnuts, cook it stirring constantly for about 30 seconds. Add bean sprouts, cook them stirring constantly until it becomes wilted which takes about 1 minute. \

Step 5: Stir sauce, and add to the mixture in the wok. Bring the boil to over high. Add noodles to the wok and cook it stirring constantly until the noodles absorb the sauce which takes about 2 minutes. Remove and discard the ginger. Season it with additional soy sauce to add taste. Transfer the noodles to a platter, and there is your delicious and fine Longevity Noodles ready to be eaten.