Sweet and sour pork the way my husband's grandmother made it. She was Chinese and the secret is apple cider vinegar. This recipe is the way Gramma made sweet and sour dishes her whole life. It is the best!
Ingredients
1 pound pork butt, cut into 1 inch cubes
Marinade:
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon white sugar
1 egg white
2 green onions, chopped
Frying:
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
½ cup cornstarch
Stir-Fried Vegetables:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 stalks celery, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 pinch white sugar, or to taste
salt to taste
1 ¼ cups water, divided
¾ cup white sugar
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup ketchup
½ teaspoon soy sauce
¼ teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, undrained
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Directions
- Step1
Gather all ingredients. - Step2
Place cubed pork in a medium bowl and season with soy sauce, salt, and sugar for marinade. - Step3
Add egg white and green onions and mix until well-combined. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Step4
Heat 1 quart oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C) in a large, heavy saucepan or deep fryer. Coat pork with cornstarch. - Step5
Fry in hot oil until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and set aside. - Step6
Heat oil for vegetables in a wok over medium heat. Stir in celery, bell pepper, and onion; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with pinch of sugar and salt. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Step7
Mix 1 cup water, 3/4 cup sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and salt in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. - Step8
Stir in cooked pork, celery mixture, and pineapple chunks with juice.
- Step9
Return to a boil, then mix in remaining 1/4 cup water and cornstarch. Cook until thickened and warmed through, about 2 minutes.
