1 cup broccoli flowerets
1/2 cup green beans, chopped
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 stalk celery, chopped
1/2 cup cabbage, grated
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 medium boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
8 ounces Udon noodles
5 ounces bamboo shoots
2 red chilies, halved
4 scallions, chopped
water

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and steam the broccoli and green beans until bright green. Transfer to ice water to prevent further cooking.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the sesame oil, celery, cabbage and garlic. Fry slightly for a minute, then add the chicken, broth, soy sauce and chilies.
3. Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook chicken fully.
4. Stir in noodles, bamboo shoots, broccoli and green beans. Warm vegetables through, then ladle into bowls and garnish with scallions.

Makes 4 servings

Shannon's parents decided they wanted Tacos for dinner. Since I'd already made tacos this year, I made myself something else. We went to the grocery store and picked up generic taco kit stuff, like the seasoning in a packet, which sort of makes me gag. The same stuff that thickens the sauce is what is used to make artificial sweeteners have any sort of mass as a packaged sugar substitute (maltodextrin). Chili powder and corn starch would do the same thing, I imagine.

While the beef was frying in the pan, I made myself a Spicy Bamboo Noodle Bowl, because I just can't get enough noodles lately. I feel like I've made a few variations of similar dishes before, but the closest thing I can actually find is the Ginger Soy Udon Soup, which really isn't that similar at all. I've only eaten bamboo shoots once knowingly. By themselves they don't really do anything for me, but it's pretty easy to disguise them in a soup or something similar to this and have positive results. I'm always amazed, for whatever reason, at how simple and fast it is to create dishes like this. I still keep forgetting to buy a few marbles to hone my chopsticks skills. Not that any amount of chopsticks capabilities will make it easier to eat soup with them.