I was born in a place that is famous for the production of the freshest meat in the entire country. Sadly, I have detested all kinds of meat ever since I can remember. Personally, I blame this on the enormous portions of lamb stew my mom ate before giving birth to me. Therefore, it has always been a pain for my mom to cook for the entire family every day. Despite the fact that meat lovers dominate my family, I refused to give up as a kid, but I did meet them in the middle. My mom had to cook at least three dishes to cover the entire family spectrum. Surprisingly, the braised noodle easily solved the family problem and saved my mom from suffering. As a dish, braised noodle is able to unify grains, vegetables and meat perfectly, as well as my divided family. Compromise is the deepest love one can give to their loved ones, which my family members and I are willing to give each other when facing our differences. I began to try meats they love, and they enjoy vegetables I hold dearest. Therefore, I want to learn how to make braised noodles for my family back in China, as well as for my loved ones in the future, who will hopefully taste my love in each bite.

The braised noodle is a well-balanced dish providing all its nutrition at the same time. It is served during everyday, ordinary occasions. The recipe I have listed above is for green bean braised noodles; However, this dish can actually be cooked with multiple variations of ingredients, such as cabbage. The green bean noodle dish turns out to be the one my family and I love the most, with a creamy touch of potato. Therefore, the braised noodle is indeed a very flexible dish to adapt to a good variety of tastes. In addition to its versatility, the dish’s cooking process is convenient and fast. A typical noodle is cooked in at least two steps, since the broth and noodle need to be made separately. However, braised noodles can be made in one single pan without too many cumbersome preparations. I remembered during middle school, my mom and I always arrived home at around the same time, and my dad usually followed us within thirty minutes. This short gap was cooking time for my mom, because everyone had to go to work and school shortly after. Even though my mom is a great cook, it was demanding to prepare and cook at least two dishes within thirty minutes, causing many unnecessary arguments. They usually ended up with my eating bread from breakfast, or some unhealthy snack for lunch simply because my mom had cooked vegetables with beef or lamb. In addition to concerns about my health, my dad was frustrated with my attitude, which he considered extremely disrespectful to parents. Back then, I didn’t see eating what I liked as childish or unreasonably demanding. The conflict between my dad and me left my mom in a very awkward position and she became angry over our insistence on having this nonsensical argument. At one point, the little me even thought my parents didn’t love me as much as they had told me they did. I was strong-headed and refused to compromise. One day I came home with pre-cooked food bought from small shops next to my school. While I was devouring my delicious food, the smell from the kitchen caught my nose. Suddenly, what I had didn’t taste good at all, so I went into the kitchen to ask my mom what she was making. The sound of heavy footsteps passed through the door; I knew my dad was coming. My mom didn’t answer my question but asked me to set the table and get ready for lunch. I was reluctant, but I didn’t want to make my mom mad since she had agreed the day before to buy me the shoes I had been wanting for a long time. Three bowls of braised noodles were set on the table without any other added on. However, potatoes were in golden little cubes, entwined with soft green beans and both were accompanied by small pieces of pork chops. Handmade noodles, evenly mixed with these ingredients, were sprinkled with fresh green onions emitting an undeniable scent. At the end, everyone was happy, and we went to watch TV together after lunch. Thereafter, no one said anything to each other, but my dad and I always asked my mom to cook green bean braised noodles for lunch. Since then, my appetite has changed and I have begun to enjoy the tastiness of meat. Every time I returned to China, I enjoyed going out to eat with my dad, who actually learned how to cook braised noodles and always cooks for me the day before I need to go back to the US. We simply stopped arguing. I had wanted to apologize, but my dad never gave me a chance. I have a feeling he knew what I had wanted to say.

Unlike dumplings, the braised noodle isn’t a very well-known dish, but for my family it is a representation of unspoken love. It’s my responsibility to know how to make it. During my cooking process, I video chatted with my parents in China, who had too much confidence in me. In addition to the fact that my noodles were not handmade and the green beans were a little over cooked, I tasted old times and my home back in China. I want to make the braised noodle for my loved ones in the future and cook it with my heavy and everlasting love for them.