Best 2 Longevity Noodles Recipes

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Longevity noodles, also known as "Yi Mein" or "Chow Mein", are a traditional Chinese dish commonly served during special occasions, particularly on birthdays and holidays, to symbolize a long and prosperous life. This article aims to provide cooking enthusiasts with a comprehensive guide to creating the best and most delicious longevity noodles. We will explore various recipes, ingredients, cooking methods, and serving suggestions to help you master the art of preparing this timeless dish. Whether you prefer classic Cantonese-style longevity noodles with a savory sauce, or a modern fusion take on the dish, this article will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to impress your family and friends with a truly delightful culinary experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

LONGEVITY NOODLES WITH CHICKEN, GINGER AND MUSHROOMS



Longevity Noodles With Chicken, Ginger and Mushrooms image

During Chinese New Year, long noodles are eaten in all corners of China. "Longevity noodles," also presented at birthday celebrations, are never cut or broken by the cook, and if they can be eaten without biting through the strands, it's considered even more auspicious. Longevity noodles are usually stir fried, presenting challenges to the home cook. Noodles should be stir-fried alone and lightly oiled so that they don't clump together in the wok, and all ingredients must be completely dry so they sear properly.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, weekday, main course

Time 30m

Yield 2 to 3 main-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
5 ounces (about 3 cups) thinly sliced Napa cabbage
4 ounces (about 2 cups) fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely shredded scallions

Steps:

  • 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 on 3/4 teaspoon salt and stir-fry a minute or 2 until chicken and vegetables are heated through.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 615, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 69 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 38 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 832 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

LONGEVITY NOODLES



Longevity Noodles image

The goal of longevity noodles is to create one long, slick, uniform strand, gently pulled over and over again until you get the right thickness.

Provided by Jason Wang

Categories     Lunar New Year     Dinner     Lunch     Noodle     Vegetarian     Vegan     Dairy Free     Soy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free

Yield Makes 2 very long noodles, enough to serve 2 Lady and the Tramp style

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour or high-gluten flour
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (180 ml) room-temperature water
Canola or vegetable oil as needed
2 cups (480 ml) cold water, divided

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, add the flour and salt and mix well to combine.
  • Add the room-temperature water slowly while mixing the dough with your hands. Using both hands, knead the dough until it comes together in a smooth ball, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • When the dough is formed, cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  • After resting, remove the plastic wrap and knead the dough in the bowl a few more times. Cover again with plastic wrap and let it rest for another 15 minutes.
  • After the second rest, brush a bit of the oil on the dough and place it on a cutting board or work surface. Cut the dough in half, and using your hands, roll each piece of dough into a long, snake-like cylindrical shape, a little over 1⁄2 inch (12 mm) in diameter.
  • Lightly coat a large container with oil. Store the dough inside by forming each piece into a spiral (like a resting snake). Brush the dough with a bit of extra oil to prevent sticking. Cover it with plastic wrap and rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (if using immediately) or up to 1 day.
  • When ready to use, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  • Fill a large pot with water, enough for the noodles to swim freely in. Set the pot over high heat and bring to a boil.
  • Work with one coil of dough at a time. Pick up one end of the dough coil with one hand, then grab it about 4 inches (10 cm) down the strand with your other hand.
  • Using your first hand, pull the end of the dough out and away from your second hand, to stretch it without breaking it. Continue pulling the dough with your first hand, stretching it out with the other. This should lengthen and slim the dough without breaking it. After you have finished stretching the length of the noodle, the dough should be less than 1⁄2 inch (12 mm) in diameter, roughly 8 feet (2.5 m) long.
  • Loop the dough into a large ring roughly 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter. You might have to loop the dough several times. With your hands shoulder-width apart, pick up the dough ring with both of your hands, cradling it with your fingers. Make sure not to tangle the strand.
  • With both hands holding the dough, pull the noodle ring outward while slapping it up and down on the work counter. Pull until the individual strand is less than 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) in diameter. (You could go thinner, but it requires skill.) Be careful not to break it; if the noodle snaps, simply pick up where the strand breaks and resume pulling. Each noodle should end up being roughly 27 feet (8 m) long.
  • Repeat the stretching, pulling, and slapping process with the second half of the snake coil.
  • Once done pulling both pieces of dough, throw the noodles into the boiling water right away, stirring so the noodles don't stick to themselves or the side of the pot.
  • When the water comes back to a rapid boil, pour 1 cup of cold water into the pot. Bring back to a boil and cook for 1 minute before adding another cup of cold water. Once the pot boils again, carefully fish out the noodles using a hand strainer or spider. The noodles should have boiled for 2 to 3 minutes in total.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the noodles will taste. Look for fresh, organic produce and high-quality flours.
  • Make the noodles the day you plan to serve them: Fresh noodles have the best flavor and texture.
  • Cook the noodles in boiling water until they are al dente: This means they should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to them.
  • Rinse the noodles with cold water after cooking: This will stop the cooking process and help the noodles retain their shape.
  • Toss the noodles with a little oil to prevent them from sticking together: You can also add a few drops of sesame oil for extra flavor.
  • Serve the noodles with your favorite sauce or toppings: Some popular options include soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and scallions.

Conclusion:

Longevity noodles are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make longevity noodles at home. Just be sure to use high-quality ingredients and follow the tips above. You'll be rewarded with a delicious and memorable meal that your family and friends will love.

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