Shanghai Stir-Fried Pork with Cabbage

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,...

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3/4 pound boneless pork loin, trimmed of fat
8 dried shiitake mushrooms
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1/4 cup peanut oil
Kosher salt
1 pound napa cabbage—halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced crosswise
Cooked rice and Chinese chile sauce, for serving

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.
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.
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.