Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound boneless pork loin, sliced crosswise 1/8 inch thick
  • 1/2 ounce small dried cloud ear mushrooms (about 1/2 cup, see Note)
  • 1/2 ounce dried lily buds (about 50, see Note)
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Shao-Hsing wine or dry sherry (see Note)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce (see Note)
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon peanut oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 6 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground white pepper
  • 6 cups boiling water
  • 8 fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish
  • Steamed white rice, preferably jasmine, for serving

Method

  • Cut the sliced pork into 2-by-1-inch strips.
  • Soak the cloud ears and lily buds separately in hot water until softened, about 20 minutes.
  • Rinse the cloud ears in fresh water and drain well.
  • Rinse the lily buds in fresh water, drain well and cut off the tough ends; cut each bud in half.
  • Mash the ginger through a fine-mesh strainer or garlic press.
  • Set aside 1 teaspoon ginger juice.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the pork, cloud ears, lily buds, ginger juice, Shao-Hsing wine, oyster sauce, soy sauce, peanut oil, dissolved cornstarch, sesame oil, sugar, salt and a pinch of white pepper.
  • Let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Transfer the pork mixture to an 8-inch cake pan and set the pan in a bamboo steamer.
  • Pour the boiling water into a large wok.
  • Place the bamboo steamer in the wok.
  • Cover and cook over high heat, stirring halfway through, until the pork is no longer pink, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Transfer the pork to a serving platter, garnish with the cilantro and serve with steamed white rice.