When our son’s best friend calls and asked if the boys can come for dinner before they leave for college, I almost cried. Our son had already left for school, so naturally, I went ALL OUT. BEEF UDON STIR-FRY Beef 4 lb sirloin, thinly sliced 2 tsp baking soda 1½ tsp kosher salt ½ cup cornstarch 2 Tbsp neutral oil + more for cooking Noodles + Veggies 5 packs frozen udon 1 white onion, 1 red + 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced 12 garlic cloves, minced 1 bunch scallions, sliced Sauce 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce ½ cup oyster sauce 6 Tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine 2 Tbsp sugar 2 tsp black pepper 4 tsp sesame oil MAKE IT: Toss beef with baking soda; sit 20 min. Rinse away baking soda with water + pat very dry. Toss with salt, cornstarch + oil. Sear in batches; remove. Sauté onion, peppers + garlic. Add frozen udon + sauce; toss until noodles soften. Return beef + finish with scallions. HONEY GARLIC SOY CHICKEN Chicken 4 lb skin-on chicken thighs, bones removed 1½ tsp kosher salt + ½ tsp black pe...