Mu shu chicken and Dragon prawn noodles

Ingredients 4 tbsp groundnut oil 2 free-range eggs, lightly beaten 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 tbsp grated fresh root ginger 250g/9oz skinless chicken breast fillets, chopped into small pieces 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 2 dried Chinese mushrooms, pre-soaked in hot water for 20 minutes, drained and finely chopped 1 small carrot, carrot 50g/2oz gherkins or preserved mustard greens, finely diced 50g/2oz dried wood ear mushrooms, pre-soaked in hot water for 20 minutes, drained and finely chopped 120g/4oz canned bamboo shoots, drained and chopped 1 handful dry-roasted peanuts 2 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tsp toasted sesame oil 2-3 pinches ground white pepper

To serve 12 Iceberg lettuce leaves or 12 small wheat flour Chinese pancakes, steamed in a bamboo steamer for 5-6 minutes

Preparation method Heat a wok until smoking and add two tablespoons of the groundnut oil, then add the eggs and cook for one minute, or until scrambled. Remove from the wok and put to one side. Wipe the wok clean. Heat the remaining groundnut oil in the wok until smoking, then add the garlic and ginger and stir fry for a few seconds. Add the chicken and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until lightly golden, then add the rice wine or sherry and stir well. Stir fry for a few seconds, then add the dried Chinese mushrooms and carrot and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, or until the carrots are tender but with a bit of bite. Add the gherkins, dried wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots and peanuts and mix well. Stir in the scrambled eggs. Season with the soy sauce, sesame oil and pepper and transfer to a serving dish. To serve, place the dish in the centre of the table together with the lettuce leaves. Stuff each lettuce leaf with the filling and eat immediately
Ingredients 650g/1lb 6oz live lobster 2 tbsp groundnut oil 5 cloves garlic, crushed 2.5cm/1in piece fresh root ginger, peeled, finely chopped 4 tbsp yellow bean sauce (available from Asian grocers) 4 tbsp light soy sauce 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 350g/12oz yellow shi whole wheat noodles or medium egg noodles, cooked according to packet instructions 4 spring onions, sliced lengthways dash toasted sesame oil (optional)

Preparation method Freeze the lobster for 30 minutes. Heat a large pan of boiling water, then very quickly plunge the lobster in the water and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until pink and cooked through. Lift the lobster out with tongs and reserve the cooking liquid. Using a large cleaver or knife, chop off the tail and cut into three sections. Chop off the claws. Divide the body in half lengthways. Chop each half into two pieces. Using the back of the cleaver, crack the shell of the claws and all the other pieces - this helps to let the sauce seep through and flavour the meat as the lobster cooks. Discard the rest of the lobster. Heat a wok until smoking and add the groundnut oil, then add the garlic and ginger and fry for a few seconds. Stir in the yellow bean sauce, soy sauce and rice wine or sherry and cook for 30 seconds. Add the lobster pieces and stir well to coat the lobster in the sauce. Add the cooked noodles and toss through well. Add 3-4 tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid (keep the rest to make a good seafood stock). Finally, add the spring onions, toss through well and serve immediately on a large serving plate.