Lucky 8 Stir-Fry

Adapted from Vegetarian Chinese Soul Food

© Hsiao-Ching Chou

LUCKY 8 STIR-FRY
MAKES 4 SERVINGS

Eight is a lucky number in the Chinese culture, especially at Lunar New Year. The Chinese word for “eight” is a homophone for prosperity, so numbers with consecutive eights in them represent “big money.” This mixed vegetable dish takes its inspiration from Buddhist vegetarian cooking and can include any combination of ingredients that represent good luck, prosperity, happiness, family wholeness, and longevity. The ingredients also should have contrasting- yet-balanced flavors and textures. You can serve this on any day of the week—especially when it’s Lunar New Year. If you don’t have access to dried lily flowers, you can bamboo shoot strips (which are available canned) or tofu.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup bean sprouts
3 inner stalks celery hearts, cut on the bias ¼-inch thick
4 to 6 medium dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in warm water for 2 to 3 hours
1 medium carrot, cut into ¼-inch-thick strips
½ cup dried lily flowers, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
½ cup dried wood ear mushrooms, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes and cut into ¼-inch-thick strips
1 cup sliced Chinese cabbage or baby bok choy
8 snow peas, trimmed and cut on the bias into ½-inch-wide pieces
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine, sherry, or dry Marsala wine
1 tablespoon water
¼ teaspoon sesame oil
⅛ teaspoon white pepper powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt, if needed

Preheat a wok over high heat until wisps of smoke rise from the surface. Swirl in the vegetable oil and heat for a few seconds until it starts to shimmer. Add all of the vegetables: bean sprouts, celery, shiitake mushrooms, carrot, dried lily flowers, wood ear mushrooms, Chinese cabbage or baby bok choy, and snow peas. Stir-fry for about 90 seconds and then add the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and water. Stir-fry for about 1 minute. Add the sesame oil and white pepper powder. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds more to combine. Turn off the heat. Taste for seasoning. If you think it needs a pinch of salt, add the kosher salt and stir to combine. Transfer to a serving dish.