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Sweet & Sour Pork

Barbara
One of the best known Chinese dishes. Chicken can easily be substituted for the pork.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 12 oz pork tenderloin, cut into ½ inch cubes
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into 1 inch pieces
  • 8 oz can pineapple chunks in juice, reserve juice for sauce
  • 1 large carrot, cut into thin slices
  • 3 oz bamboo shoots, drained, rinsed, and cut in half

FOR THE BATTER:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

FOR THE SAUCE:

  • cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste, ½ a can
  • 6 tbsp pineapple juice

TO SERVE:

  • Cooked white rice or noodles

Instructions
 

  • Dice meat, slice bell pepper, onion, carrot and bamboo shoots. Set aside.
  • Drain canned pineapple chunks, reserving 6 tablespoons of the juice. Set aside.
  • Set out 2 plates lined with paper towels; one to drain cooked pork and another to drain cooked vegetables.

Prepare sauce:

  • In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, rice vinegar, minced garlic, tomato paste and reserved pineapple juice. Set aside.

Prepare batter:

  • Make the batter by sifting together the flour, baking powder and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and stir in just enough water to make a thick smooth batter (about ¾ cup).

Cook stir fry:

  • Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok until hot.
  • Season cubes of pork with salt.
  • Using tongs, dip cubed pork tenderloin into the batter to coat and cook in the hot oil until light, crispy, golden brown and meat is cooked through. Fry in small batches. Drain cooked pork on a paper towel lined plate.
  • Drain off all but about 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add onion, bell pepper, pineapple, carrot and bamboo shoots to the pan and stir fry for about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Pour sauce into skillet or wok. Bring to a boil, stirring until thickened and clear. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Return cooked pork and vegetables back to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Serve:

  • Pile Sweet & Sour Pork on top of cooked white rice or noodles.
Keyword Asian cuisine, pork, stir fry