Muxi Rou (Chinese Mushu Pork)

1. 1

   Soak wood ears in boiling water for 20-60 minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water, and slice julienne.

2. 2

   Freeze the pork loin for 20-30 minutes to firm up a little bit, then slice very thin, then stack the slices and julienne.

3. 3

   Combine 1/4 t salt, 1/2 t sugar, 2 t soy sauce, 6 turns white pepper mill, 1 t wine, 1 t cornstarch, and 1 T water for the marinade. Add to the pork and stir to coat.

4. 4

   Marinate meat for about 20 minutes, then stir in 1 T oil.

5. 5

   Beat the eggs lightly with 1 T oil and 1/4 t salt.

6. 6

   Heat a wok over high heat until smoke rises. Add 1 T oil and swirl it around. Add the wood ears and stir for 30 seconds. Season with 1/4 t salt, 1/4 T sugar, and 1 T soy sauce. Transfer to warm dish and set aside.

7. 7

   Reheat the wok until smoking. Add 2 T oil and swirl it around. Pour in the egg and scramble lightly. Set aside on warm plate.

8. 8

   Scrape wok clean, washing if necessary.

9. 9

   Reheat wok until smoke rises. Add 3 T oil and swirl around. Add the garlic and stir a moment until fragrant. Add the white part of the scallions, toss and allow to sizzle for a few moments. Add the pork and stir-fry for about a minute until color changes. Add 1 t wine around the side of the wok, continuing to stir-fry. Add wood ears and eggs to the wok, stirring for another minute until pork and egg are thoroughly cooked and all ingredients are hot.

10. 10

    Serving option 1: After removing wok from heat, toss in green onion parts and fresh cilantro, drizzle with sesame oil, and serve with rice.

11. 11

    Serving option 2: After removing wok from heat, drizzle with sesame oil. Serve meat on one platter, mandarin pancakes on another, and green onions and cilantro in a third dish. At the table people may pick up a pancake, and use their chopsticks to stuff the pancake with meat and top with green onions and cilantro.

12. 12

    Serves 2 as the main dish, or up to 10 as part of a full Chinese meal.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.