3 lbs. pork
1-2 c. water
4 slices fresh ginger root
1/2 c. soy sauce
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sherry
2 tsp. sugar

Cut pork in 1 1/2-inch cubes. Place with water in heavy saucepan and bring quickly to boil. Meanwhile, slice and crush ginger root; add to pan along with soy sauce, sherry, and salt. Also may add 2 scallion stalks cut in 1-inch sections, 2 garlic cloves crushed, 1 cup onion sliced.

Simmer above, covered, for 1 hour. Next, add sugar and, if desired, bunch sliced carrots and 6 celery stalks sliced in 1 1/2-inch sections. Turn meat over and simmer covered for 30 minutes more. During last 20 minutes, add 2 cups bamboo shoots, cut in large chunks.