Vegetables Lo Mein
(4 servings)

Ingredients

1/4 lb Soft, fresh wheat flour
Noodles
6 Dried Jyo mushrooms (OR 10 Nami mushrooms)
3 Large stalks celery
1/2 c Sliced bamboo shoots
2 tb Cooking oil
1/4 ts Salt
1 c Chicken broth
1/2 ts Sugar
Cornstarch paste

Instructions

Noodles: Add soft noodles to boiling salted water; stir with chopsticks & cook until noodles lose their floury taste but are still firm. Immediately drain in colander & rinse in cold water to arrest cooking process. If you hold noodles for more than 10 minutes toss them with a little oil to prevent sticking.

Vegetables: Soak Jyo mushrooms for 2 hours in warm water (1 hour for Nami mushrooms); slice in thin strips. Slice celery with the grain in thin strips about 3" long. Cut bamboo shoots in strips to match celery.
Stir-Frying: Heat wok to medium-high. When hot, dribble oil around side of pan. Add salt; stir briefly. Add mushrooms & bamboo shoots; stir for about 30 seconds. Add celery, stir vigorously for 30 seconds. Push vegetables up side of wok; add broth & sugar, bring to boil.

Add noodles, a handful at a time, stirring them into broth for about 20 seconds. Combine vegetables & noodles, cover wok, steam for 30 seconds. Push all ingredients to side. If necessary, thicken juices slightly with cornstarch paste. Add paste a little at a time, stirring constantly. Serve immediately.