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Stir-Fried Pork with Napa Cabbage

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 min

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1

(1-lb) pork tenderloin

2

1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

4

teaspoons cornstarch

1

1/2 tablespoons sugar

2

tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)

1

/2 teaspoon salt

2

tablespoons water

2

lb Napa cabbage, quartered lengthwise, cored, and cut crosswise into 1 1/2-inch pieces (10 cups)

2

tablespoons vegetable oil

1

tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1

tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger

1

/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

Accompaniment: rice

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Trim off and discard any silver skin from pork (do not trim fat). Cut pork across grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices, then toss with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a bowl.

    Step 2

    Stir together vinegar, salt, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, and remaining 1/2 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl.

    Step 3

    Stir together water and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a cup.

    Step 4

    Rinse cabbage in a large colander. Tap colander lightly, then transfer cabbage to a large bowl with water still clinging to leaves.

    Step 5

    Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then add pork in 1 layer as quickly as possible. Cook, undisturbed, until pork begins to brown, about 3 minutes, then turn over and cook, undisturbed, until browned but still pink in center, about 1 minute more. Transfer pork and any juices to a plate. Do not clean skillet.

    Step 6

    Heat remaining tablespoon oil in skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then stir-fry garlic and ginger 30 seconds. Add half of cabbage and stir-fry over high heat until cabbage is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in remaining cabbage (skillet will be very full), along with any water in bowl, and soy sauce mixture, then cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until all of cabbage is tender, 4 to 5 minutes.

    Step 7

    Add pork, along with any juices accumulated on plate, and bring to a boil. Stir cornstarch mixture, then pour into skillet and boil, stirring, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Season with salt, then serve sprinkled with cilantro.