Sweet And Sour Pork
Ingredients:
– 500 grams of pork, sliced into 1cm thick pieces
– 2 tablespoons of Chinese dark vinegar
– 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon of sugar
– 1 teaspoon of five spice powder
– 2 tablespoons of rice wine
– 1/4 cup of cornstarch
– 2 tablespoons of flour
– 1 liter of oil for deep frying
Instructions:
1. Marinating: In a container, mix the pork pieces with Chinese dark vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, five spice powder, and rice wine. Allow to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Coating: Combine cornstarch and flour. If you prefer a crispier coating, strain out half of the marinade sauce before mixing.
3. Deep frying: Heat oil in a large saucepan or small pot until it reaches frying temperature. Carefully dip the marinated pork into the hot oil. Fry until the pieces turn a deep golden brown.
The history of Sweet and Sour Pork traces back to ancient China, where it was initially developed as a method to preserve meat. Over time, it evolved into a popular dish enjoyed for its unique combination of flavors. Sweet and Sour Pork gained widespread popularity in the West during the 20th century, particularly in Chinese-American cuisine. Today, it remains a beloved dish in Chinese cuisine around the world, known for its tender chunks of pork coated in a tangy, sweet sauce.
Sweet and Sour Pork has a rich culinary history that dates back centuries in China. Initially, the dish was created as a way to use up leftover meat by marinating it in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and spices to preserve it. Over time, variations of the dish emerged across different regions of China, with each area adding its own unique twist to the recipe.
The dish gained popularity beyond China’s borders during the early 20th century as Chinese immigrants brought their culinary traditions with them to other parts of the world. In the United States, Sweet and Sour Pork became a staple of Chinese-American cuisine, where it was adapted to suit local tastes and ingredients.
Today, Sweet and Sour Pork is enjoyed not only in Chinese restaurants worldwide but also in home kitchens, where cooks experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create their own versions of this classic dish. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its delicious flavor profile and versatility.
