Longevity Noodles--A birthday Tradition

Longevity Noodles--A Birthday Tradition
Monday, November 23, 2009 at 9:46pm

Ever since I could remember, mom and dad always made noodles to celebrate birthdays in our house. Longevity noodles we called it. There were no parties and no presents most of the time due to very limited finances. The birthday girl or boy got a hard boiled egg in his or her noodle bowl. I almost forgot about the cake. Well, there was no cake because where would we get one?

Year after year we looked forward to longevity noodles on our birthdays, with the boiled egg in the bowl. It is hard to believe, by today’s standards, that we never felt poor or deprived. We were perfectly happy with the noodle dish mom and dad prepared especially for our special day.

This is how to make it. First, stir fry some ground meat with chopped garlic, ginger, and green onions. Then add in chopped Napa cabbage, shitake mushrooms, and enough water to make a soup. Just as the soup comes to a boil, add scrambled raw eggs into the boiling soup and turn off the stove. Stir the egg to make egg drops. Season with salt and pepper, and add cooked noodles after sprinkling a few drops of sesame oil. I still request this dish each year for my birthday, in addition to gifts, cake, and flowers.

What is on my mind right now is the big TG dinner for 14 people in our house. But I am aware that the next birthday is approaching quietly as well. This year, I will have to grow up. And make the noodles myself. On a quieter day.