SICHUAN STIR-FRIED PORK IN GARLIC SAUCE(COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• 1. Whisk all sauce ingredients together in bowl. Set aside.
• 2. Cut pork into 2" lengths and then cut each length into 1/4" matchsticks. Combine pork with baking soda and water in bowl. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• 3. Rinse pork in cold water. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels. Whisk rice wine and cornstarch in bowl. Add pork and toss to coat.
• 4. For the stir fry, combine garlic, scallion whites, chili paste in bowl.
• 5. Heat 1 tbsp oil in large non stick pan over high heat until just smoking. Add mushrooms and cook stirring frequently until tender, 4 minutes. Add water chestnuts and cook for additional 2 to 4 minutes until tender. Transfer vegetables to separate bowl.
• 6. Add remaining 3 tbsp oil to pan and place over medium low heat. Add garlic scallion mixture and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Transfer 1 tbsp garlic scallion oil to small bowl and set aside. Add pork to skillet and cook until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk sauce to recombine and add to skillet. Increase heat to high and cook stirring constantly until thickened and pork cooked thru, 1 to 2 minutes. Return vegetables to skillet and combine. Transfer to platter, sprinkle with scallion greens and reserved garlic scallion oil and serve.