Sweet & Sour Pork (Gu Lao Rou)

Ingredients

For Marinating and Frying the Pork

• 300g (10 oz) pork tenderloin
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon cooking wine
• Ginger juice
• Cornstarch

For the Stir-Fry

• 1 small bamboo shoot
• 2 dried mushrooms (soaked)
• 1 small onion
• 1 small carrot
• 1 green pepper
• 2 slices pineapple
• 1 clove garlic
• 3 tablespoons oil

For the Sauce

• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup soup stock
• Dash of monosodium glutamate (optional)

For Thickening

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons vinegar

Method

1. Prepare the Pork:

   • Cut the pork tenderloin into bite-sized cubes.
   • Marinate the pork in soy sauce, cooking wine, and ginger juice for 15 minutes.
   • Coat the marinated pork with cornstarch.
   • Deep fry the pork in oil heated to 370°F until crispy. Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Vegetables:

   • Thinly slice the bamboo shoot.
   • Cut the pineapple into six sections.
   • Slice the soaked mushrooms.
   • Cut the onion and green pepper into eight sections.
   • Slice the carrot and cut into flower patterns for an interesting look.

3. Stir-Fry:

   • Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan.
   • Add the garlic, onion, mushrooms, bamboo shoot, and green pepper. Stir-fry quickly.
   • Add the seasonings (ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, salt, and soup stock) and bring to a boil.

4. Thicken the Sauce:

   • Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
   • Add the slurry to the boiling sauce to thicken it.
   • Add the vinegar, fried pork, and pineapple. Mix well and serve hot.

Cooking Time and Nutritional Information

• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Nutritional Information per Serving:
  • Calories: 422.3
  • Protein: 18.1g

Interesting Facts and Stats

• Global Popularity: Sweet & Sour Pork is one of the most popular Chinese dishes globally, often featured in Chinese restaurants worldwide. According to a survey by the Chinese Cuisine Association, it ranks among the top 10 most ordered Chinese dishes internationally.
• Historical Roots: The dish has its origins in the Guangdong province of China and has been adapted in various ways across different cultures.
• Nutritional Insight: While delicious, Sweet & Sour Pork can be high in sugar and calories. A single serving contains approximately 422.3 calories and 6 tablespoons of sugar, which is about 90% of the recommended daily sugar intake for an adult (source: American Heart Association).

Additional Tips

• Healthier Alternatives: For a healthier version, consider baking the pork instead of deep-frying it. You can also reduce the amount of sugar in the sauce.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute the pork with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version of this dish.

References

• American Heart Association
• Chinese Cuisine Association

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