Stir-fried Tender Greens

Ingredients

• tender Chinese greens (青菜)
• bamboo shoots
• a pinch mustard powder
• a small amount vinegar
• a few slices cured ham (火腿)

Instructions

1. Select only the most tender leaves of the greens. For the primary preparation, stir-fry the greens together with bamboo shoots over proper heat control (火候).
2. For a summer variation, dress the blanched greens with mustard powder and a modest amount of vinegar; this preparation awakens the stomach and aids digestion.
3. For a soup variation, add ham slices to create a light soup. In all cases, use only freshly harvested greens, as they alone will achieve the desired tender texture.