2 loofah Recipes

angled loofah (1/2 lb), kosher salt, ice cubes, cider vinegar, water, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, sweet onion (1/2 lb), thinly sliced crosswise and separated into rings

skinless boneless chicken breast , cut across grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices, cornstarch, asian sesame oil, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth, fresh angled loofah * (about 12 inches long), peanut oil, fresh shiitakes , stems discarded and caps sliced 1/8 inch thick, chinese fermented black beans, fresh red chiles such as thai, seeded and cut into fine julienne (2 tsp), chopped garlic, chopped peeled fresh ginger, cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water, cooked white rice