1. Combine the stew sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Wash and cut the napa cabbage in 4 quarters. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In a cast iron pan, heat 4 tbsp of olive oil. Add the cabbage and sear on medium high heat for 10 minutes on each side or until slightly golden. Remove the cabbage and set aside.
4. In same cast iron pan, add the chili paste mix with 2 cups of water and simmer for 5 minutes. (Optional: add chopped mushrooms and a bay leaf).
5. Add the cabbage back in the boiling stew broth and cabbage and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with rice.
This recipe was created by Local Roots contributor Fatima Mortada / @hummusmeetspizza