Six Servings

This soup is a simplified version of a Chinese classic Lion’s Head Stew. Four cabbage outer leaves are reserved and placed over the top of the soup. Once cooked, the browned leaves are said to resemble a lion’s mane.

6 cups chicken broth (If using canned, use low-salt)
½ cup rice wine or sake
4 slices fresh ginger, smashed with the flat edge of a knife
1 medium head Chinese Napa cabbage (about 1 to 1 ½ pounds )
1 tablespoon olive or corn oil
3 cloves garlic, smashed with the flat side of a knife or cleaver
1 pound lean ground pork

Seasonings:
1 ½ cups minced scallion greens
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine or sake
1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste

1. Cut away the stem of the cabbage and discard. Remove and reserve four of the outermost leaves. Cut the remaining cabbage in half and cut the leaves into 2-inch squares, separating the leafy sections from the stem pieces.
2. Heat a Dutch oven or a covered casserole, add 1 teaspoon of oil and heat until very hot, about 30 seconds. Add the garlic cloves and stem sections cabbage sections and stir-fry for 30 seconds over medium-high heat. Add the rice wine and toss lightly; cover and cook for 1 ½ minutes. Uncover, add the remaining cabbage sections and the chicken broth. Partially cover, and once the soup reaches a boil, uncover, reduce the heat slightly, and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. While the soup is cooking, put the ground pork, and Seasonings in a bowl. Mix with your hands to combine the ingredients evenly, then shape into 6 plump oval-shapes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat a wok or a skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil, and heat until very hot. Place the meatballs in the pan and sear until golden brown over high heat; then turn them over and sear on the other side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place the meatballs in the center of the cabbage soup. Cover with the four reserved leaves to create an attractive presentation. Replace the lid and put the casserole in the middle shelf of the oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Gently stir in the soy sauce and salt to taste and ladle into soup bowls. Serve immediately, taking a little cabbage and broth with each serving.

© 2008 Nina Simonds

Six servings

Too many cooks overlook sweet potatoes, except during the winter holidays when they are often candied to a cloying sweetness. What many don’t realize is that their firm texture makes them perfect for stewing and braising and their sweet flavor makes them a perfect complement to any type of meat-chicken, beef or pork as in the spicy curry below.

1 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder or bones Country-style sparerib, trimmed of excess fat or gristle
2 sweet potatoes or yams, about 2 pounds, peeled and cut into 1 ½ -inch cubes sweet potatoes
¾ pound green beans or assorted fresh or frozen vegetables such as carrots, peas, shelled edamame, etc.
2 tablespoons virgin olive or safflower oil
2 medium red onions, peeled, ends trimmed and cut into small dice

Curry Seasonings:
1 teaspoon dried chile pepper flakes
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh ginger, peeled
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Sauce
mix all together
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, seeded and diced with juice (about 2 cups) ½ cup light coconut milk
3 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce
1 ½ tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
½ cup fresh basil shredded or torn into small pieces

1. Cut the pork into 1 ½-inch cubes. Defrost or blanch the vegetables in boiling water briefly, then refresh in cold water.
2. Heat a heavy casserole or a Dutch oven with a lid. Add the oil, and heat until hot, about 20 seconds. Add the Curry Seasonings and red onion, stirring over medium-low heat with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes until the onion is tender and seasonings are fragrant.
3. Add the Sauce and bring to a boil. Add the pork and sweet potatoes and stir to coat the potatoes with the sauce. Bring the mixture back to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Add the defrosted or pre-cooked vegetables and cook for one minute to heat through. Sprinkle in the fresh basil (if using) and toss lightly for a few seconds to coat. Serve with steamed rice or garlic naan and simple raita (recipe below).

©2008 Nina Simonds

Six to Eight Servings

½ pound boneless butt or shoulder, trimmed of excess fat or gristle
2 teaspoons olive or canola oil

Seasonings:
3 stalks scallion, ends trimmed, cut into 1 ½-inch sections, and smashed lightly with the flat side of a cleaver or knife
3 garlic cloves, smashed lightly with the flat side of a cleaver, and sliced thin
3 slices fresh ginger, about the size of a quarter, smashed lightly with the flat side of a cleaver or knife
½ teaspoon hot chili paste
1 stick cinnamon
½ whole star anise, smashed or ½ teaspoon anise seeds

Braising Mixture:
4 cups water
1/3 cup soy sauce
¼ rice wine or sake
2 tablespoons sugar
3 sweet potatoes or yams, about 1 ½ pounds, peeled and cut into 1 ½ -inch cubes
2 tablespoons minced scallions for garnish

1. Cut the pork into 1 ½-inch cubes.
2. Heat the oil until very hot in a 4-quart casserole or a Dutch oven. Add half the pork pieces. Sear the outside of half the pork over high heat until brown, turning once. Remove and sear the remaining meat. Set aside.
3. Reheat the pan and oil, add the Seasonings. Stir-fry until fragrant, about 15 seconds, then add the Braising Mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add the pork, bring the liquid to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Let simmer covered for 35 to 40 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes, stir, cover, and continue cooking for about 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Serve the pork and potatoes, atop a bed of stir-fried bok choy with some of the braising mixture spooned on top and accompanied by steamed rice.

© Copyright Nina Simonds 2008

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