I harvested about 40 pounds of nuda shoots this spring and gave them to friends at work. Many of the people who took the shoots are Chinese but not all. The Chinese tell me that the shoots should be cooked with seasoning and meat because they have so little flavor of their own. Some of the people who don't normally eat shoots tried different ways of preparing them that emphasized the delicate flavor of the shoots and didn't overwhelm them with seasoning and meat. One friend did a great job cooking the shoots with asparagus and Portabella mushrooms. She used the interesting shape of the cut shoots to create a beautiful presentation. Some brought me samples of the dishes they made with the shoots. Another person cooked their shoots in olive oil and garlic. I stir fry them with broccolli and carrots and a touch of sesame oil. It was so interesting that next year I think we'll have a bamboo shoot potluck and try each others dishes.

I have to make chinese the first night of the yearly family get together every summer. Egg Foo Yong and Fried Rice I usually just throw together - I tried to put them into "recipe" form for you... Egg Foo Yong 1 cup of chopped vegies (celery, bean sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli, green onions) 1 cup of chopped meat (cooked chicken, pork, beef or shrimp) five or six eggs 1/2 to 1 tbls soy sauce (to taste) Mix vegies & meat together in a bowl. Beat eggs together and add to vegie & meat mixture. (It should look like you dont have enough eggs - you want more vegies & meat and the eggs to basically hold it all together). Stir in soy sauce. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Use a ladle to spoon the mixture (I make 4 patties at a time in my electric frying pan) into hot oil and cook on medium high until "set" (like an omelette), turn over once and cook another minute or so until cooked through. Fried Rice 1 cup cold cooked rice 3 slices of bacon 1/2 cup of chopped vegies (celery, carrots, bean sprouts, mushrooms, green onions) 1/2 cup of chopped meat (cooked chicken, pork, beef or shrimp) 3 scrambled eggs Couple of splashes of soy sauce (to taste) Slice bacon into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces and fry until crisp over medium-high heat. Add cold cooked rice (donÂt add it in one big lump - shake it up in a tupperware bowl or zip lock baggie so itÂs separated nicely) and quickly and gently keep it moving around the pan - the goal here is to brown (actually, tan) the rice in the bacon grease without letting a big glob of rice absorb all the grease, in which case you have one gross mess - when the rice is a nice even color, add the raw vegies and cooked meat and keep it moving (stirring gently) around the pan until everything is nice and hot. Add the scrambled eggs (already cooked) and a couple of splashes of soy sauce (taste as you go, itÂs easier to add more...) and keep it moving (stirring gently) for about another minute or so until the eggs are hot. Shrimp & Vegetable Egg Rolls 2 Tbls vegetable oil 8 cups finely shredded green cabbage 2 cups coarsely grated carrots 2 & 1/2 Tbls soy sauce 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced 1 Tbls ginger, finely minced 6 green onions (or scallions), cut into very thin slices 3/4 lb salad shrimp (can substitute chopped, cooked, chicken) 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup finely slivered fresh basil Salt - to taste, if needed 12 egg roll wrappers (10 oz) 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 & 1/2 cups vegetable oil 1. In a large, heavy pot, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the cabbage and carrots; cook over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until cabbage is wilted and bright green. Stir in soy sauce. 2. Add the garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute, stirring. Remove from heat and stir in green onions, shrimp, cilantro, basil and (if desired) salt. 3. When working with egg roll wrappers, cover them with a damp kitchen towel so they donÂt dry out. Stuff wrappers one at a time: Place one tip facing you like a diamond shape on a flat work surface. Place 1/3 a cup of filling 1 inch from the bottom point and across the wrapper to within 1 inch of each side. Fold bottom tip up over filling and roll away from you halfway up. Brush egg over exposed edges with a pastry brush. Fold in 1 inch side tips and finish rolling TIGHTLY (very important - or egg rolls will absorb more oil and taste ÂgreasyÂ). Place on a plate seam-side down. Repeat procedure with the rest of the wrappers. Keep finished egg rolls covered with a damp towel. 4. Heat 1 & 1/2 cups of oil in a 10 inch skillet until it begins to bubble a bit on top. (To test for temperature, drop a cube of bread into oil; it should brown within one minute). [I use my deep fryer - @ 370 degrees - drop in 3 or 4 egg rolls - cook 1 minute and turn and cook for another minute, or until golden brown.] 5. Add 3 or 4 egg rolls at a time to the oil and fry for 2 to 21/2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towel. Serve immediately. I like mine with ketchup and hot Chinese mustard. Hubby likes his with sweet & sour sauce. (S&S Recipe follows) Makes 12 egg rolls Sweet & Sour Sauce 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon corn starch 1 can (13&1/4 oz) pineapple chunks 1/3 cup vinegar 1 Tbls soy sauce 1 small green pepper, coarsely chopped Mix brown sugar and cornstarch in skillet. Stir in pineapple (with syrup), vinegar and soy sauce. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; reduce heat. Cover; simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until sauce thickens to your desired thickness. Stir in green pepper. Cover and simmer for about two more minutes. This is the Âperfect (according to family & friends) S&S Sauce and can be used for egg rolls, meatballs, chicken, shrimp, fried won-tons, egg foo yong - whatever... Batter for deep fried chicken or finger steaks 2 egg whites 4 tablespoons cornstarch 4 tablespoons soy sauce Mix well and add chicken strips (boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1" strips) or beef strips (cube steak cut into 1" strips). Set aside. 1 cup of bisquick 2/3 cup of water 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (if using for almond chicken or sweet&sour chicken) Mix well and add to chic or beef mixture. Mix together well (coating all meat) and deep fry until golden.

Just saw this or I would have posted earlier. There was a Chinese guy in Manhattan who was a wine freak - was on a mission to show that wine worked w Chinese food. Great restaurant and great wines. He finally sold his place (Henry's, on 1st Ave) and moved to Napa to open a restaurant. You did well. Problem w much Chinese food is the salt levels - soy sauce, fermented beans, etc. So reds, especially tannic reds, can taste really wierd. Cantonese tends to be lighter with a lot of seafood, so I would go with whites. People recommend gwertztraminer - OK I guess, but chenin blanc, sauvignon blanc, and some others work better. I would avoid anything that has noticable oak and instead look for something with light, crisp flavors and lots of acidity. Riesling can be perfect as it comes in so many guises.

Rue (Ruta graveolens)has smallish yellow flowers and blue green leaves. it grows 2' or so. The form "Jackman's Blue" is on of the hardiest and prettiest. Many people are allergic to rue. It is often sold as an insect repellant in nurseries and is said to repel cats??! People who rub it on their skin tend to come up in nasty red welts. In medieval times rue was said to be a herb good for the sight. It seems little used now in western medicine or quisine. I too would be interested in how it is used in Asian cooking. Michael Bailes