Sweet and Sour Pork, known in Chinese as “咕噜肉” (Gulao Rou), is a classic Cantonese dish that has gained immense popularity worldwide due to its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors coupled with the succulent texture of the pork. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare this delicious traditional Chinese dish at home.
Ingredients:
1. 500g lean pork shoulder or tenderloin, cut into bite-sized cubes
2. 1 large green bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 small pineapple, peeled and diced (reserve juice)
1 carrot, sliced diagonally
1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks (optional)
3 tbsp cornstarch
4 tbsp cooking oil
Marinade:
– 1 tbsp light soy sauce
– 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 tsp white pepper powder
– 1 egg white
Sauce:
– 3 tbsp pineapple juice
– 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
– 2 tbsp sugar
– 2 tbsp rice vinegar
– 1 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
**Instructions:**
1. **Marinating the Pork:**
In a mixing bowl, combine the cubed pork with light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, white pepper, and egg white. Mix well and let it marinate for about 20 minutes.
2. **Coating the Pork:**
After marination, coat each piece of pork in cornstarch, ensuring all sides are evenly covered. Set aside.
3. **Preparation of Sauce:**
In another bowl, mix together pineapple juice, tomato ketchup, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and the cornstarch-water mixture to make the sweet and sour sauce. Stir until smooth and set aside.
4. **Frying the Pork:**
Heat the oil in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, gently add the coated pork pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry until golden brown and crispy, then drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
5. **Cooking Vegetables:**
In the same wok, leaving about 2 tablespoons of oil, stir-fry the green bell pepper, onion, pineapple chunks, and carrot (and red bell pepper if using) over high heat for about 1-2 minutes until they start to soften but still retain their crispness.
6. **Assembling the Dish:**
Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce into the wok with the vegetables. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring continuously. Once the sauce thickens, add the fried pork back into the wok, tossing gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
7. **Final Touches:**
Cook for an additional minute, allowing the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped spring onions or sesame seeds if desired.
8. **Serve and Enjoy:**
Transfer the Sweet and Sour Pork (Gulao Rou) onto a serving plate and serve hot with steamed rice.
With these simple steps, you can recreate the authentic taste of Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork in your own kitchen, offering your family and friends a delightful culinary experience from China’s rich gastronomic heritage.