**Indulge in the Harmony of Sweet and Sour Pork: A Culinary Journey with Diverse Recipes**
Craving a tantalizing blend of sweet and sour flavors? Look no further than the delectable dish of sweet and sour pork. This culinary delight, with its origins in Chinese cuisine, has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. Get ready to embark on a flavor-filled adventure as we present a collection of sweet and sour pork recipes that cater to various tastes and preferences. From the classic Cantonese-style dish to unique interpretations with a modern twist, each recipe promises an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more. Whether you prefer crispy fried pork coated in a glossy sauce or tender pork simmered in a flavorful broth, this article has something for every palate. Prepare to relish the perfect balance of sweet and sour notes, complemented by aromatic spices and fresh ingredients. So, gather your culinary tools and let's dive into the world of sweet and sour pork, where taste buds come alive!
**Classic Cantonese-Style Sweet and Sour Pork**: This timeless recipe embodies the essence of sweet and sour pork. Crispy-fried pork pieces are enveloped in a vibrant sauce made with pineapple, green peppers, and a harmonious blend of sweet and sour elements.
**Healthy Baked Sweet and Sour Pork**: For those seeking a healthier alternative, this baked version of sweet and sour pork is a guilt-free delight. Enjoy tender pork coated in a tangy sauce, minus the deep-frying, making it a perfect choice for health-conscious individuals.
**Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork**: Experience the convenience of slow cooking with this recipe. Simply toss in the ingredients and let your slow cooker work its magic. Tender pork and a luscious sauce come together effortlessly, creating a satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
**Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Pork**: Harness the power of your air fryer to create crispy, golden-brown pork coated in a delectable sweet and sour sauce. This innovative approach yields a healthier and equally flavorful dish that's sure to impress.
**Vegan Sweet and Sour "Pork"**: Indulge in the sweet and sour flavors without compromising on your vegan lifestyle. This plant-based recipe uses tofu or tempeh to create a satisfying meat-free alternative that's packed with flavor and texture.
**Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple**: Experience a tropical twist on the classic dish with this recipe. Chunks of pineapple add a burst of sweetness and acidity, creating a vibrant and refreshing take on sweet and sour pork.
**Conclusion**:
Embark on a culinary adventure and discover the diverse world of sweet and sour pork recipes. From the classic Cantonese-style dish to innovative baked, slow-cooked, air-fried, and vegan versions, this article offers a delectable selection that caters to various tastes and dietary preferences. Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, complemented by aromatic spices and fresh ingredients. So, gather your culinary tools, choose your favorite recipe, and let the tantalizing aromas of sweet and sour pork fill your kitchen. Bon appétit!
SWEET AND SOUR PORK
Sweet and sour pork is one of the most popular Chinese restaurant dishes ever, but as with most classics, it's hard to find a go-to recipe. Look no further!
Provided by Bill
Categories Pork
Time 1h15m
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Add the marinade ingredients to the pork, and mix everything together until there is no visible liquid. Set aside for 30 minutes.
- Next, make the sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of oil, ginger slices, and star anise to a small saucepan over medium heat, and cook until the ginger starts to caramelize (about 1 minute). Next, add the ketchup. When that starts to sizzle, stir constantly until the ketchup starts to caramelize (about 2 minutes). Take care not to burn the aromatics and ketchup--this step is essential to give the sauce a deeper, more complex flavor.
- Next, add the white vinegar, sugar, and the juice from the canned pineapple. Stir until the mixture starts to simmer, and the sugar is dissolved. Turn to the lowest heat and let the sauce simmer and reduce until the sauce just starts to coat a spoon (about 30 minutes). The sauce needs this time for the flavors to meld. The sauce can be cooled and stored at this time, and you can double or triple the amount and store the sauce away in the refrigerator for future meals.
- Heat 3 cups of oil to 350F in a small pot for frying. Using a small pot and frying in batches leaves you with less leftover oil to deal with. Always let the oil cool completely and use a fine mesh strainer to strain the oil before storing in the refrigerator.
- Mix together the dredging ingredients (flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper) in a shallow dish. Dredge the pork pieces in the flour mixture, dip into the egg, and then dredge with the flour again.
- Fry the pieces in batches for about 2 to 3 minutes, or when they just start to get golden brown. Remove them from the oil and transfer to a sheet pan with a slotted spoon or spider.
- Once you're ready to combine everything, refry the pork in batches to crisp up the coating. That's right, they're going to fry for a second time--this prevents the pork from getting too soggy when added to the sauce.
- To a clean wok, add 1 tablespoon oil, the bell peppers, and onions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, and add the sauce and the pineapple. Bring the mixture to a simmer to further thicken the sauce. At this time, you will likely need to add some cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce further. Add half first and stir for 15 seconds; then decide if you need more. Remember the sauce will thicken more as it cools in the plate, so add only as much as you need.
- I have to add another note to this recipe that this sauce is very sweet and very pungent! So at this point, you must taste the sauce and add water to it if it is too strong and by that, I mean too sweet or too sour. Once you have it adjusted to your taste and the desired thickness, especially if you added more water, then go ahead to the next step and add the pork.
- Next, add your crispy pork to the sauce, and toss until the pieces are well-coated. Serve immediately!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 458 kcal, Carbohydrate 42 g, Protein 12 g, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 58 mg, Sodium 293 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 26 g, ServingSize 1 serving
QUICK HOMEMADE SWEET-AND-SOUR PORK
Stir up a homemade sweet-and-sour sauce for this colorful combination of tender pork, crunchy vegetables and tangy pineapple. Serve it over hot rice, chow mein noodles or both. -Eleanor Dunbar, Peoria, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Pour half into a large resealable plastic bag; add pork. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 30 minutes. Set remaining marinade aside., Drain and discard marinade from pork. In a large skillet, cook pork in oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on all sides or until meat is lightly browned; drain. Add the onion, carrots, green pepper, and ginger. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. , Cover and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until pork is tender. Add reserved marinade. Bring to a boil; cook for 1 minute or until heated through. Stir in pineapple. Serve with rice if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 379 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 55mg cholesterol, Sodium 603mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (44g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 23g protein.
SWEET AND SOUR PORK
Pork is stir-fried with peppers, carrots, onions and pineapple in this version of the classic dish. Easy to make, and delicious.
Provided by Kikkoman
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Kikkoman
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Blend cornstarch and soy sauce in small bowl; stir in pork until well coated.
- Brown pork in hot oil in Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in 1/4 cup water. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir carrots, onion, bell pepper and sweet & sour sauce into pork mixture. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
- Add pineapple chunks; cook and stir only until pineapple is heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 366.3 calories, Carbohydrate 36.1 g, Cholesterol 53.6 mg, Fat 16.1 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 19.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 669.7 mg, Sugar 25.8 g
AUTHENTIC SWEET AND SOUR PORK
This popular dish originates from Sichuan. The pork is crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside. The sauce has the perfect balance of sweet and sour. Serve with rice, if desired.
Provided by Chelsea
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 1h5m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Pound pork to 1/3-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Slice into 1 1/2-inch strips.
- Combine pork strips, rice wine, 1/3 teaspoon salt, and monosodium glutamate in a bowl. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Mix remaining 1/3 teaspoon salt, chicken stock, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce in a bowl to make sauce.
- Beat eggs with remaining 3 tablespoons cornstarch in a bowl until smooth. Add pork strips; stir to coat.
- Heat oil in a wok or large saucepan to 280 degrees F (140 degrees C). Add pork strips one at a time to the hot oil. Cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon.
- Heat oil to 340 degrees F (170 degrees C). Return pork to the hot oil. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate with the slotted spoon.
- Drain all but 2 tablespoons oil from the wok. Cook and stir garlic and ginger in the hot oil until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add sauce and spring onions; cook and stir until sauce begins to thicken, 4 to 5 minutes. Pour sauce over the pork on the serving plate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 434.7 calories, Carbohydrate 35.2 g, Cholesterol 235.1 mg, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 1223.7 mg, Sugar 16.9 g
SWEET AND SOUR PORK
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories main-dish
Time 1h12m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a large non-reactive bowl, combine soy, garlic, ginger, flour, and cornstarch. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper. Place the pork in the bowl and toss to cover. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
- Drain off any excess marinade and dredge the pork in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. In a large frying pan heat 1-inch of oil to 350 degrees F. Fry the pork in batches, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Reserve on a warm plate.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ketchup, sugar, vinegar, and honey. Whisk to blend.
- In a small roasting pan heat the canola and sesame oils. Place the pork and vegetables into the pan and cover with the ketchup mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook until the pork is tender.
HOMEMADE SWEET-AND-SOUR PORK
I stir up a homemade sauce for this colorful combination of tender meat, crunchy vegetables and tangy pineapple. Serve my sweet-and-sour pork over hot rice, chow mein noodles or both. -Eleanor Dunbar, Peoria, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup and soy sauce. Pour half into a large resealable plastic bag; add pork. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 30 minutes. Set remaining marinade aside., Drain and discard marinade from pork. In a large skillet, cook pork in oil for 3 minutes. Add the onion, carrots, green pepper, garlic and ginger; saute until pork is tender. Add reserved marinade. Bring to a boil; cook for 1 minute. Stir in the pineapple. Serve with rice if desired. Freeze option: Cool pork mixture. Freeze in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through slowly in a covered skillet, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary. Serve over rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 389 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 55mg cholesterol, Sodium 490mg sodium, Carbohydrate 53g carbohydrate (44g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 24g protein.
SWEET AND SOUR PORK
At Mamahuhu, a Chinese takeout restaurant in San Francisco, a sense of history and appreciation for American Chinese cuisine is applied to a few classics. Mining historical Cantonese sweet-and-sour dish recipes for inspiration, Brandon Jew, a founder of the restaurant, and Noah Kopito, the head chef, created a sauce that incorporates pineapple, honey and dried hawthorn berries, which impart an earthy depth of flavor. The chefs use house-fermented Fresno chiles for a hint of heat, but a dab of commercially available sambal oelek will do. This dish can be made with chicken or cauliflower instead of pork; just skip the marinade if using cauliflower.
Provided by Cathy Erway
Categories dinner, meat, vegetables, main course
Time 2h45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 29
Steps:
- Prepare the pork: Combine the pork with all the marinade ingredients, mixing well. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Make the sweet and sour sauce: Heat the oil, ginger and garlic in a medium saucepan over low heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring. Add the rice vinegar, pineapple juice, honey, hawthorn berries, sambal oelek and five-spice powder; stir to combine while bringing to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the solids; return to the saucepan.
- Reduce the sauce to about 1 ¾ cups over medium-high heat, uncovered, about 5 minutes. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, adding more as desired.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Bring the sauce up to a boil again, then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Stir as it thickens and bubbles, about 1 minute, then remove from heat. (Note: This sauce recipe may produce more than needed for your pork stir-fry; use as much as you desire and the rest can be saved for another use, such as a dipping sauce for crab rangoon.)
- Prepare to deep-fry: In a large wok (or deep skillet), heat the quart of oil to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the batter; add ½ cup water and whisk to combine. Drain any excess liquid from the marinated pork and discard. Working quickly in two batches, carefully dip each piece of pork into the batter one at a time, shaking off any excess, and drop into the oil. Fry the first batch of pork until golden brown, about 6 to 7 minutes. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer the fried pork to a wire rack-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat with the remaining pork, mixing the batter thoroughly before coating the meat. After frying, carefully discard the oil, reserving 1 tablespoon.
- Return the reserved 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok or pan and heat over high. Once the oil is popping, about 1 minute, add the bell pepper, onion, pineapple and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly charred in spots.
- Scrape the vegetables into a large bowl and toss with the fried pork and enough sweet and sour sauce to coat (about 1 to 1 ½ cups). Arrange on a serving dish and serve with steamed rice.
Tips:
- Using a large skillet or wok will help prevent the pork from overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- To get the best flavor from the pork, marinate it for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Be sure to use a good quality sweet and sour sauce, as this will make a big difference to the final dish.
- If you don't have pineapple chunks, you can use canned pineapple slices or crushed pineapple instead.
- Serve the sweet and sour pork with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
This lucky sweet and sour pork recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of sweet, sour, and savory flavors is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a tasty and festive dish to serve, give this recipe a try!
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