{Ru Yi Ten-Veggie Dish}

This is a dish that my family has to have every Chinese New Year.

[It's Chinese lesson time!]

ru yi  如意
(n.) a handicraft (usually made of jade or wood), originally a back scratcher and massager but now more decorative than functional; a symbol of good luck and wishes coming true
(adj.) according to one's wishes


Ingredients

10 different kinds of veggies in total: Ten is a good number for the Chinese - it means everything is fulfilled and perfect.

• 1 of the 10 must be soy bean sprouts: a soy bean sprout resembles the shape of a ru yi, which symbols good luck
• the rest 9 can be whatever you want: chives, chive sprouts, Shitake mushrooms, needle mushrooms, carrots, radish, Chinese pickles, garlic sprouts, tofu skin, onions, scallions, etc.

Cut everything into long thin pieces - as thin as you can! Then stir-fry everything separately. Start with the ones that are harder to cook (carrots, radish, etc.). Add salt to taste - I usually don't add any salt if the pickle is one of the ingredients. Stir everything together at the end. Add some sesame oil and you're done!