Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/4  cup           butter
   1      cup           onions -- chopped
   1      teaspoon      salt
     1/8  teaspoon      pepper
   1      cup           celery -- chopped
   1      cup           hot water
   1      can           bean sprouts -- drained
   1      cup           ham chunks
   2      teaspoons     soy sauce
   1      teaspoon      sugar
     1/3  cup           cold water
   2      tablespoons   cornstarch
                        chow mein noodles

Preparation:

Melt butter; add onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, celery, and hot water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add bean sprouts and ham. Mix thoroughly and heat to boiling point. Add flavoring and thickening ingredients. Stir lightly and cook for 5 minutes. Serve with chow mein noodles. VARIATION: Substitute shrimp for ham.