HOW TO PREPARE SWEET AND SOUR PORK.

Sweet and Sour Pork is a popular Chinese dish that combines crispy fried pork pieces with a tangy and sweet sauce. Here’s a recipe to prepare this delicious dish at home:

Ingredients:
Pork and Marinade:

1 lb (450g) pork shoulder or pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
1 egg white
2 tablespoons cornstarch
For Frying:

1 cup cornstarch (for dredging)
Vegetable oil (for deep frying)
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Vegetables:

1 bell pepper (any color), cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 medium onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1/2 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
Instructions:
Marinate the Pork:

In a mixing bowl, combine the pork cubes with salt, white pepper, Shaoxing wine, egg white, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Mix well to ensure the pork is well-coated. Allow it to marinate for about 30 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce:

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Once the sugar has dissolved, slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
Fry the Pork:

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large, deep pan to about 350°F (175°C).
Dredge the marinated pork pieces in the 1 cup of cornstarch. Ensure each piece is well-coated.
Carefully drop the pork pieces into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
Remove the fried pork pieces and drain on paper towels.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

Remove the excess oil from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons.
Add the onions and carrots. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes or until slightly softened.
Add the bell pepper and pineapple chunks and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes.
Combine Everything:

Return the fried pork to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sweet and sour sauce over everything. Toss to coat all the ingredients with the sauce.
Serve: Transfer the Sweet and Sour Pork to a serving dish and serve hot with steamed rice.

Note: For a healthier version, you can skip deep-frying the pork. Instead, pan-fry the marinated pork in a non-stick skillet until fully cooked, then combine with the sauce and vegetables. The texture will be different, but it’ll be a lighter alternative.