Stir-fried Celtuce with Wood Ear Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 10 dried wood ear mushrooms
• 1 large celtuce stem ((also called stem lettuce))
• 1/2 red bell pepper ((or 2-3 holland chilies))
• 1/3 cup stock ((vegetable or chicken stock, or water))
• 1/4 teaspoon salt ((or to taste))
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 thin slices ginger
• 1-3 dried chili peppers ((kept whole for less spice, or chopped in half for more spice))
• 3 cloves garlic ((thinly sliced))
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch ((combined with 1 tablespoon water))

Directions