Soy-Braised Pork With Shiitakes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
• 1 ½ to 2 pounds boneless pork, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 10 nickel-thick slices peeled ginger
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ¼ cup mirin or 2 tablespoons honey (or additional sugar)
• 2 cups stemmed, sliced shiitakes
• White rice

4 servings

Preparation

1. Put oil in a large, deep skillet and turn heat to high. A minute later, add pork and cook, undisturbed, until nicely browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Shake the pan or use tongs to turn, then toss in the ginger and garlic.
2. A minute later, add soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 cup water, along with mirin, honey or sugar. Turn heat to low, cover and simmer about 30 minutes, until pork is fairly tender. Add shiitakes, stir, and cook about 10 more minutes, until pork is quite tender.
3. Uncover, raise heat to high, and cook, turning pieces frequently, until liquid is reduced to a saucy consistency. Discard ginger and garlic if you like, and serve over white rice.

1 hour