Name: Lucky 8 Stir-Fry
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 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 tablespoon water; 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine, sherry, or dry Marsala wine; ¼ teaspoon sesame oil; ⅛ teaspoon white pepper powder; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (optional)

stirfried vegetables including mushrooms celery and snow peas

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.