Ham Chow Mein

Source: Country Cooking

1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup celery chopped
1 cup hot water
1 can bean sprouts drained
1 cup ham, cut into chunks
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/3 cup cold water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Chow mein noodles

Melt butter; add onions and saut