Dish of Pork Liver with Cucumber
(click to enlarge)

Pork Liver with Cucumber


China

Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
2 main
***
2-1/8 hr
Most
An interesting contrast of textures and flavors - the cucumber slices are cooked crisp-tender and the liver is cooked just firm. The cooking times are very short, important for texture, so don't exceed them.

3/8
1
-------
2
1
1/2
1/2
1/16
2
2
-------
12
2
1/2
2
1
1
1/2
1-1/2

oz
#
---
T
T
t
t
t
t
t
---
oz

in
T
T
T
t
T

Black Fungus (1)
Pork Liver (2)
-- Marinade
Soy Sauce, light
Rice Wine
Sugar
Salt
Pepper black
Cornstarch
Sesame Oil
---------
Cucumber, thin (3)  
Scallions
Ginger
Oil
Stock
Rice Wine
Salt
Oil

Prep   -   (1-3/4 hrs - 45 min work)
  1. Soak BLACK FUNGUS in warm water for about 30 min until fully swollen. Remove any woody anchor points and tear large leaves to about 3/4 inch on a side.
  2. Rinse LIVER and pat dry. Place in the freezer until somewhat stiff (about 1 hr), then slice about 1/8 inch thick,and into strips 1-12 inches long by the thickness of the liver.
  3. Over very high heat bring plenty of water to a boil. Stir in the Liver slices and bring back to a boil as quickly as possible. When the water just starts to boil, drain the liver slices and quench in cold water. Drain well.
  4. Mix all Marinade items and massage into the Liver slices. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes turning a couple of times.
  5. Slice CUCUMBER thin on a diagonal. See Note-3.
  6. Cut SCALLIONS into 1-1/2 inch lengths. Slice GINGER very thin and cut into narrow threads. Mix.
Run   -   (20 min)
  1. Heat 2 T Oil in a wok or spacious sauté pan. Stir in Black Fungus until coated with oil, then stir in Stock and Rice Wine. Continue to cook, stirring until liquid has evaporated, then stir in Cucumbers and Salt. Continue to fry stirring for about 30 seconds, then remove all from the pan and keep warm. The cucumbers should still have some crunch.
  2. Clean and dry the pan. Heat 1-1/2 T Oil very hot. Stir in Ginger mix until coated with oil, then stir in Liver and fry turning until the marinade is nearly dried out (about 1 minute). Fold in the Cucumber Mix just until mixed and take off heat.
  3. Serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions if you wish, and with plenty of steamed long grain rice.
NOTES:
  1. Black Fungus:

      Also known as Wood Ears and Cloud Ears and sold dry in plastic bags in any East Asian market. It expands greatly in size when soaked. for details see our Black Fungus page.
  2. Pork Livers

    can be found in any respectable Asian or Latino meat market. They weigh between 1 and 1-3/4 pound each. This recipe can also be made using calf's liver if desired.
  3. Cucumber:

      If at all possible use a thin cucumber that need neither seeding nor peeling: Persian, European, Japanese, or whatever. Lacking them use kerbys sliced in half lengthwise, seeded and sliced without peeling. For details see our Cucumbers page.
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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