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Shanghai Stir-Fried Pork with Cabbage
© John Kernick

Shanghai Stir-Fried Pork with Cabbage

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • •FAST
  • •MAKE-AHEAD
  • •STAFF-FAVORITE

“I was a student in Beijing during World War II,” says chef Cecilia Chiang. “To flee occupied China, I walked with my sister to Chongqing; it took close to six months. Crossing different provinces, I found out the foods are quite different. In the north, for instance, people eat a lot of sorghum, millet and wheat instead of rice. In Shanghai homes, this stir-fried cabbage-and-pork recipe is typical.”

  1. 3/4 pound boneless pork loin, trimmed of fat
  2. 8 dried shiitake mushrooms
  3. 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  4. 1 1/2 tablespoons dry sherry
  5. 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  6. 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
  7. 1/4 cup peanut oil
  8. Kosher salt
  9. 1 pound napa cabbage—halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced crosswise
  10. Cooked rice and Chinese chile sauce, for serving
  1. Freeze the pork for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, cover the shiitake mushrooms with hot water and a paper towel. Microwave at high power for 3 minutes. Let the shiitake stand until softened, about 15 minutes. Drain and press out the water. Cut off and discard the stems. Thinly slice the caps.
  2. Slice the pork 1/4 inch thick. Stack the slices and cut them into 1/4-inch-wide strips. Transfer the pork to a medium bowl and toss with the cornstarch, sherry, soy sauce, white pepper and 1 tablespoon of the oil.
  3. Heat a large skillet until almost smoking. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil and heat until small puffs of smoke appear around the edges. Add the pork and stir-fry over high heat until nearly cooked, 30 seconds; transfer to a plate. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet, then add 1 teaspoon of salt and swirl to combine. When the oil is shimmering, add the shiitake caps and half of the cabbage and stir-fry over high heat until just wilted. Add the remaining cabbage and stir-fry until crisp-tender, 1 1/2 minutes longer. Return the pork to the skillet and cook until just heated through, 1 minute. Serve right away, with rice and chile sauce.

Suggested Pairing

Dark, peppery Syrah.