Pasta, Tofu, Pork, and Chinese Cabbage in Ginger Broth

In a medium stainless-steel saucepan, combine the broth, soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, sugar, and salt. Bring just to a simmer, stirring occasionally.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the spaghettini until almost done, about 8 minutes. Drain. Return the pasta to the pot.

Add the hot ginger broth to the pasta along with the cabbage and tofu. Bring back to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Add the pork and scallions. Remove from the heat and let sit until the pork is just done, about 1 minute.

Mirin Substitute In place of mirin, a sweet low-alcohol Japanese cooking wine, you can use 3 tablespoons sweet sherry, or 3 tablespoons dry sherry plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar.

With an assertive dish like this, the wine should have plenty of acidity and very little delicacy. A California sparkling wine or a Vouvray (made from Chenin Blanc grapes) would be best.