Chicken Chow Mein

1/2 lb Dried or fresh egg noodles

1/4 lb Boneless chicken breasts,

- skinned 2 ts Light soy sauce

2 ts Rice wine or dry sherry

1 tb Oil, preferably peanut; plus

1 ts Oil, preferably peanut

1 ts Finely chopped garlic

2 oz Snow peas; trimmed

1 oz Smithfield ham or prosciutto

-finely shredded 1 ts Light soy sauce

1/2 ts Granulated sugar

1 tb Finely chopped scallions

2 ts Sesame oil

IF YOU`RE USING DRIED NOODLES, cook according to package instructions, then cool them in cold water until you`re ready to use them. If you`re using fresh Chinese noodles, boil them for 3-to-5 minutes, then immerse in cold water. Using a cleaver or sharp knife, slice the chicken into shreds 2 inches long. Mix chicken with the 2 teaspoons of light soy sauce and rice wine or sherry in a small bowl. Mix well. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature about 10 minutes. Heat a wok or large skillet. Add the 2 teaspoons of oil, then the chicken shreds. Stir-fry about 2 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Clean the wok. Drain the noodles, shaking off as much water as possible. Reheat the pan, add the 1 tablespoon of oil and garlic. Stir-fry for 10 seconds, then add the snow peas and ham. Stir-fry about 1 minute, then add the noodles, sugar, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and scallions. Continue to stir-fry about 2 minutes, then return the chicken to the noodle mixture. Continue to stir-fry about 3 to 4 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Add the sesame oil and give the mixture a few final stirs. Turn onto a warm platter and serve at once.