Celebrate Chinese New Year with a tantalizingly tangy dish – Solo Sweet and Sour Pork! This recipe brings together the perfect balance of flavors with juicy pork, crisp veggies, and a deliciously sticky sauce. Follow our step-by-step instructions to create a mouthwatering meal that will impress your taste buds and leave you wanting more. So grab your apron and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will transport you to the heart of Chinese cuisine. Let’s dive into the world of Solo Sweet and Sour Pork and make this Chinese New Year truly unforgettable.
Preparation
Gathering Ingredients
Before you begin preparing the solo sweet and sour pork, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound of pork loin, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Preparing the Ingredients
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to prepare them for the recipe.
- Thinly slice the pork loin into bite-sized pieces. Make sure they are evenly sized for even cooking.
- Slice the bell pepper and onion into thin strips. This will add a pop of color and texture to the dish.
- Drain the pineapple chunks from their juice and set aside. These will be added later to give a burst of sweetness to the dish.
- Place the cornstarch and beaten eggs in separate bowls. These will be used to coat the pork before frying.
Mixing the Sauce
To create the delicious sweet and sour sauce for your pork, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water until well combined. Set aside for later use.
Marinating the Pork
Slicing the Pork
To ensure the pork is tender and flavorful, it is important to slice it properly.
- Begin by placing the pork loin on a cutting board.
- Slice the pork against the grain into thin pieces. This will help to break down the muscle fibers, resulting in tender pork.
Preparing the Marinade
Marinating the pork will infuse it with flavor and help to tenderize it further. For the marinade, you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and vegetable oil until well combined. Add the sliced pork to the marinade and toss to coat. Allow the pork to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for even more flavor.
Marinating the Pork
After preparing the marinade, it’s time to marinate the pork.
- Place the sliced pork in a ziplock bag or a bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the pork and seal the bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Allow the pork to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Frying the Pork
Coating the Pork
To achieve a crispy and golden exterior on the pork, it needs to be coated in a crisp batter.
- Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Take each slice of marinated pork and dip it in beaten egg, followed by the cornstarch. Ensure the pork is evenly coated with both.
Heating the Oil
Properly heating the oil is essential for achieving crispy and delicious fried pork.
- Check if the oil is hot enough by carefully dropping a small piece of pork in the oil. If it sizzles and starts to turn golden brown, the oil is ready for frying.
- Add more vegetable oil to ensure there is enough for deep frying.
Frying the Pork
Once the oil is hot and the pork slices are coated, it’s time to fry the pork.
- Carefully place the coated pork slices into the hot oil, ensuring they are spread out and not sticking together.
- Fry the pork for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the fried pork from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Preparing the Sweet and Sour Sauce
Gathering Ingredients
To create the mouthwatering sweet and sour sauce to accompany the pork, gather the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Mixing the Sauce
Now that you have all the ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce, it’s time to mix them together.
- In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water.
- Whisk the ingredients together until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and there are no lumps.
- Place the saucepan on medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside for later use.
Cooking the Sweet and Sour Pork
Preparing the Vegetables
To add a vibrant and healthy touch to the dish, prepare the vegetables.
- Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced bell pepper, onion, and pineapple chunks to the pan.
- Stir-fry the vegetables for 2-3 minutes, or until they are slightly softened but still retain their crunch.
Stir-frying the Veggies and Pork
To bring all the flavors together, it’s time to stir-fry the vegetables and pork.
- Push the stir-fried vegetables to one side of the pan, creating space for the pork.
- Add the fried pork slices to the pan and stir-fry them with the vegetables for about 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Use a spatula or tongs to gently toss the pork and vegetables together, ensuring they are evenly coated and mixed.
Adding the Sauce and Inching
The final step before enjoying your delicious solo sweet and sour pork is to add the prepared sauce and inching, which gives the dish its signature glossy texture.
- Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the stir-fried pork and vegetables.
- Stir gently to coat all the ingredients in the sauce.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing it to thicken and coat the ingredients.
- Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more soy sauce, vinegar, or sugar to achieve the desired balance of flavors.
Serving
Garnishing
To make your solo sweet and sour pork visually appealing and add a burst of freshness, garnish it with:
- Chopped green onions: Sprinkle some chopped green onions on top of the dish for a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
- Sesame seeds: If you desire, sprinkle some sesame seeds over the dish for added flavor and texture.
Accompaniments
While the solo sweet and sour pork is already a flavorful and satisfying dish on its own, you can enhance the meal by serving it with:
- Steamed rice: The combination of the sweet and tangy pork and fluffy steamed rice is a match made in heaven. Serve a generous portion of steamed rice on the side to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Egg rolls or spring rolls: Crispy and savory egg rolls or spring rolls are the perfect complement to the sweet and sour pork. Their contrasting textures and flavors create a well-rounded meal.
Enjoying the Solo Sweet and Sour Pork
Now that you have successfully prepared your solo sweet and sour pork, it’s time to sit back, relax, and savor every bite. The tender and crispy pork, combined with the tangy and sweet sauce, will surely satisfy your taste buds. Enjoy this delightful dish as a main course during Chinese New Year or any other occasion when you crave a taste of Chinese cuisine.