Pancit Sotanghon with Shrimps, Ham and Vegetables

As I prepared the ingredients to cook this Pancit Sotanghon with Shrimps, Ham and Vegetables, I looked out the window and noticed the snow came in three parts. It was a snow storm of epic proportions. Heavy snow poured down on us here on the east coast three different times in a span of 24 hours. It was an avalanche. We were left with over two feet or 24 inches of snow to shovel off the driveway before it turned to a whole layer of ice. The thought of ice scares me. Picture a thick layer of ice in your freezer when it needs defrosting. Yes, it looks like that. Now try walking on that with an ordinary pair of shoes. You will fall and break your neck.

When friends back in the Philippines see photos I post on Facebook and social media about all the snow we are getting this winter, I get comments like “how I wish I could have your weather.” Indeed the grass is always greener on the other side. In this case, folks in tropical countries think the snow is adorable in these parts. It is not. It even becomes lethal at some point. And don’t get me started on the expense of heating oil, ice melt to thaw the driveway, damage on your property, the problem of child care if school is cancelled, the loss of work days, consequently loss of income expected, and all that comes with it.

Why do we always think someone’s life is always better? It never really is. What we have in our lives is always far better than what someone else is experiencing today, this minute. I am guilty of this. But I try hard to take stock at the end of the day. I have yet to start a gratitude journal. I do it mentally these days for lack of time. Just before bedtime, I look back at what I did today and this week. I count how many blessings have come my way. There are so many, they outweigh my complaints about the snow, ice and bitter cold.

One of the blessings I am always grateful for is when someone in the family celebrates a birthday. This week is my younger son’s birthday. I always prepare a noodle or ‘pancit’ dish for the occasion. No matter how grown up my boys are now, we try to reconnect, get together and celebrate. And always, a noodle dish is mandatory. Noodles symbolize long life, prosperity and good fortune. Even the heavy snowfall was a reason to celebrate. After all, life continues and each day is a blessing. Each day is a reason to celebrate.

Print Recipe

Pancit Sotanghon Noodles with Ham and Vegetables

Pancit Sotanghon with Shrimps, Ham and Vegetables is a version of the classic Filipino noodle dish. In the Philippines, we celebrate birthdays with pancit. It is considered 'good luck' to serve noodles. This one was made with sotanghon (say ‘soh-tangh-hon’) or the cellophane noodles. These are noodles made of mung bean starch, are slippery, translucent and have a pleasant, simple, nearly bland flavor if eaten alone. The noodles are available in small bundles, each portion of 16 ounces serves about 2 people. I have sotanghon noodles in my pantry 24/7 because they are easy to cook in any dish that starts as a stir fry. I added slices of ham, fresh shrimps and snow peas to this birthday dish for my son. The aromas from the garlic, scallions and fish sauce combined with the sizzling shrimps made for a very savory entrée. This was a combined adaptation from recipes in The Philippine Cookbook by Rey Alejandro and my own made from memory. Reference about the cellophane noodles was from The Asian Grandmothers’ Cookbook by Patricia Tanumihardja. Recipe below serves 2 to 4.

Ingredients

• 1 bundle 16 ounces, pre-soaked in water, 2 cups of noodles if uncooked (from Asian markets) sotanghon or cellophane noodles
• 1/2 pound large, peeled, deveined shrimps
• 2 cloves peeled, minced garlic
• 1 whole medium chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 4 Tablespoons from Asian markets, divided, use half for stir fry, rest for dipping side sauce patis or Filipino fish sauce
• 2 Tablespoons for stir fry vegetable or corn oil
• 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth soup stock
• 1 cup sliced in 1-inch strips cooked ham
• 1 cup peeled and sliced pieces from 1 large carrot carrot
• 2 cups washed, edges trimmed sugar snap peas
• from a whole piece about 1 Tablespoon, divided, use 1 teaspoon for side dipping sauce lemon juice
• 1 to 2 stalks chopped (about 1/3 cup), for garnish, optional green onions or scallions
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper powder

Instructions

• If there are any, cut off the string which ties together the bundles of cellophane noodles. In a medium sized bowl filled with water, soak the sotanghon noodles for about 25 minutes. Do not pre-soak noodles longer than this amount of time or they get mushy while cooking.
• Peel, devein and wash the fresh shrimps. Set aside.
• After 25 minutes, drain the water from the noodles. Let the noodles rest on a colander and set aside for later.
• In a large skillet, over medium high heat, add the cooking oil. After 1 to 2 minutes when the oil is hot enough, saute the garlic, onions, celery. Once the onions are transparent, in about 2 minutes, add the peeled shrimps. Pour in the ‘patis’ (fish sauce) and soup stock or broth.
• When the shrimps are cooked and turn pink, in about 8 to 10 minutes, add the cooked ham strips and carrots. Blend ingredients well. Then add the snow peas which should take 3 to 5 minutes to cook. Do not overcook the snow peas or they will not be crunchy.
• Add the pre-soaked noodles to the skillet. Incorporate well with the rest of the ingredients, making sure the liquid coats the noodles evenly. Continue cooking for 5 minutes more. You will notice the soup stock will get absorbed by the noodles in a few minutes and that is okay. Season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice all over the noodles. Garnish with scallions if desired. Serve with a side of fish sauce mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice.
• Cook’s comments: I have cooked this sotanghon dish in many ways and posted about it on this blog. Feel free to check out ‘Sotanghon with Sitsaro’ or Pesang Salmon with Sotanghon (fish in ginger broth).
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