Name: Lion's Head Casserole (Shih Tzu Tou)
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 2 hours
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 8 large dried shiitake mushrooms (3/4 ounces); 2 cups boiling-hot water; 1 pound ground pork butt (not lean); 1 large bunch scallions (white and pale green parts only), finely chopped; 6 large fresh water chestnuts, peeled and finely chopped, or 10 canned whole water chestnuts, rinsed, drained, and finely chopped; 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (preferably Shaoxing) or medium-dry Sherry; 2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil; 1 teaspoon sugar; 2 tablespoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 1/4 teaspoons salt; 1 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) head Napa cabbage; 2/3 cup peanut or vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (16 fluid ounces); Accompaniment: steamed white rice; a well-seasoned 14-inch flat-bottomed wok

Overhead of the dish in a bowl a large meatball surrounded by braised Napa cabbage and shiitake mushrooms.

Photo by Romulo Yanes

This dish conveys the grandeur of formal Chinese dinners, but there's nothing intimidating about its preparation. The balance of flavors is sublime, and the presentation is striking — ruffled Napa cabbage is arranged around large pork meatballs to create the appearance of the lionlike Tibetan dog.

Cooks' Note

·Pork mixture can be chilled up to 1 day.
·Cabbage can be cut 1 day ahead, then chilled, wrapped in dampened paper towels, in sealed large plastic bags (press out any excess air before sealing).

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

38 Lunar New Year Foods
These lucky Lunar New Year recipes are a delicious way to celebrate

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Heavenly Halva Cake

Serve a thick slice for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Vodka Gochujang Pasta

This pasta has some really big energy about it. It’s so extra, it’s the type of thing you should be eating in your bikini while drinking a magnum of rosé, not in Hebden Bridge (or wherever you live), but on a beach on Mykonos.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Kung Pao Cabbage With Tofu

Reliable cabbage is cooked in the punchy sauce and then combined with store-bought baked tofu and roasted cashews for a salad that can also be eaten with rice.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Recipe notes

38 Lunar New Year Foods