Hand-Torn Cabbage (手撕包菜)

Ingredients

• ½ head of cabbage, torn into medium-sized pieces
• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 5-7 dried red chili peppers, cut into 2-3 pieces
• 5 Szechuan peppercorns (花椒)
• 1 T black vinegar
• ½ tsp chicken essence powder (雞精)
• ½ tsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• oil for stir-frying

To Prepare

1. After washing the cabbage, make sure to dry it as much as possible (via drip-dry, towels, etc)
2. Add oil to a pan and heat on medium
3. When the oil is hot, add garlic, Szechuan peppercorns, and dried red chili peppers
4. Reduce heat to low and stir
5. When the garlic has changed color, add the cabbage and stir rapidly
6. When the cabbage begins to change color, add the vinegar by pouring it down the side of the pan (not directly onto the cabbage)
7. Stir rapidly and evenly, making sure to flip all ingredients
8. Add the sugar, stir briefly, then add the salt and chicken essence powder