Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to the Orient with this delectable Sweet and Sour Cashew Pork recipe. This dish embodies the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors, complemented by the crunchy texture of cashews. Our comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions, cooking tips, and ingredient variations to ensure a mouthwatering meal that will impress your family and friends.
Embark on a flavor-packed adventure as we explore the nuances of this classic dish. Learn how to create a harmonious blend of tangy pineapple, succulent pork, and a velvety sauce that dances on your palate. Discover the secrets to achieving the perfect balance of sweet and sour, ensuring each bite is an explosion of taste.
This recipe caters to various dietary preferences, offering gluten-free and low-carb alternatives. We've also included a vegetarian version, showcasing the versatility of this culinary masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary exploration, this guide will empower you to create a remarkable dish that will become a staple in your kitchen.
So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Asia.
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.
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
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
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine the pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, water, soy sauce, pepper flakes, and sesame oil. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring, for 15 seconds. Add the pineapple juice mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the sherry. Add to the simmering sauce and whisking constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Season the pork with the Essence. In a wok or large saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over high heat, swirling to coat the sides. Add the pork and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Return the wok to high heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, swirling to coat the sides. Add the bell peppers and onions, and cook, stirring, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the sauce and bring to a boil until thickened. Add the pineapple and pork, and cook, stirring, until warmed through, 1 minute. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning to taste. Divide the rice among 4 dinner plates, and top with the pork and sauce. Garnish each with the nuts and green onions, and serve immediately.
- In a bowl, combine the pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, water, soy sauce, pepper flakes, and sesame oil. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring, for 15 seconds. Add the pineapple juice mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the sherry. Add to the simmering sauce and whisking constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Season the pork with the Essence. In a wok or large saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over high heat, swirling to coat the sides. Add the pork and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Return the wok to high heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, swirling to coat the sides. Add the bell peppers and onions, and cook, stirring, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the sauce and bring to a boil until thickened. Add the pineapple and pork, and cook, stirring, until warmed through, 1 minute. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning to taste. Divide the rice among 4 dinner plates, and top with the pork and sauce. Garnish each with the nuts and green onions, and serve immediately.
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
- Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
- Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
SPICY CASHEW PORK
Make and share this Spicy Cashew Pork recipe from Food.com.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 36m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Stir together Sherry, cornstarch, and 1 tblsp soy sauce, then stir in sesame oil.
- Add pork, stirring to coat well, and let stand 10 minutes.
- Stir together sugar and remaining 2 tblsps soy sauce.
- Heat a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat until a bead of water dropped on cooking surface evaporates immediately.
- Add 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil, swirling wok to coat evenly, then stir-fry 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper flakes until fragrant, about 5 seconds.
- Add bell pepper and stir-fry 2 minutes.
- Add snow peas and cashews and stir-fry until snow peas are crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Transfer vegetables to a bowl.
- Heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil in wok until just smoking, then stir-fry remaining ginger, garlic, and pepper flakes until fragrant, about 5 seconds.
- Add pork and stir-fry, separating strips, until browned and barely cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add vegetables and sweetened soy sauce, then stir-fry until vegetables are just heated through, about 1 minute more.
- Serve with steamed rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 537.3, Fat 39.2, SaturatedFat 8.9, Cholesterol 53.6, Sodium 1020.7, Carbohydrate 22.2, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 7.3, Protein 25.6
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
Tips:
- To make the pork extra crispy, coat it in a cornstarch and baking soda mixture before frying.
- Use a variety of vegetables in your stir-fry to add color and flavor.
- Be sure to cook the sauce until it has thickened and is slightly sticky.
- Serve the sweet and sour cashew pork over rice or noodles.
- Garnish the dish with fresh cilantro or green onions for extra flavor.
Conclusion:
Sweet and sour cashew pork is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of sweet, sour, and savory flavors is sure to please everyone at the table. This dish is also a great way to use up leftover pork. So next time you have some leftover pork, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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