Sweet and Sour Pork
Sweet and sour pork is a dish that is popular in Cantonese cuisine and may be found in Chinese restaurants all over the world. Most Chinese households will know of this dish as it’s a favourite amongst many including myself. The meat should be juicy, not to be over cooked. The sauce  a slight lemony, sour flavour coating the deep fried crispy pork.

Serves: 4-5
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients for Pork
400 grams lean pork or shoulder pork
2 garlic gloves
1 red bell pepper
1 tablespoon shaoxing wine
½ teaspoon chicken powder
3 dashes white pepper powder

Ingredients for Batter
1 free range egg
4 teaspoons plain flour
3 teaspoons corn flour
½ teaspoon baking powder

Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Sauce
100 ml hot water
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
½ fresh pineapple cut into chunks

Oil for frying
800 ml vegetable Oil

Thickening sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon corn starch

Method
• Wash, drain and cut the pork into bite-size cubes. Marinate with shaoxing wine, chopped garlic and chicken powder for 10 minutes.
• Into a pot, add in all the sweet and sour sauce ingredients except from the pineapple.
• Mix the thickening sauce ingredients and add into the pot with the sauce. Simmer on a low heat for 5-6 minutes until bubbling hot. Stir to prevent the sauce from sticking to the pot.
• Cut the pepper and pineapple into chunks, set aside.
• Combine the batter ingredients into a mixing bowl. Add the pork cubes into the batter, coat well.
• Heat a wok on a medium setting till smoking hot and add oil for frying. With a wooden chopstick or tongs, place individual cubes into the hot oil in batches and deep fry each side for 1 to 1 ½ minutes. Transfer the pork onto a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil.
• Transfer the hot oil into a bowl, leaving just 1 tablespoon of oil in the wok. Throw in the red peppers and pineapples and stir-fry for 1-2 minute.
• Add in the already boiled sauce and cook for 20 seconds before adding in the crispy pork. Mix the ingredients well and serve.

©WinsesWeeWok2015

Photographs pictured by Christopher Hawker