Cerdo en salsa agridulce, or Sweet and Sour Pork, is a classic dish that combines the richness of pork with a vibrant, tangy-sweet sauce. This dish is popular in Chinese cuisine and has been adapted worldwide with various twists. Here's a recipe to make a delicious Cerdo en salsa agridulce:
Ingredients:
For the Pork:
- Pork loin or tenderloin (500g, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons)
- Cornstarch (2 tablespoons)
- All-purpose flour (1/2 cup)
- Egg (1, beaten)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- Pineapple juice (1/2 cup, preferably from canned pineapple)
- Vinegar (1/4 cup, white or rice vinegar)
- Ketchup (1/4 cup)
- Sugar (1/4 cup)
- Soy sauce (1 tablespoon)
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon mixed with 2 tablespoons water for slurry)
- Bell peppers (1 red and 1 green, cut into chunks)
- Pineapple chunks (1/2 cup, canned or fresh)
- Onion (1 medium, cut into chunks)
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
- Ginger (1-inch piece, minced)
Instructions:
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Marinating and Preparing the Pork:
- In a bowl, mix the pork pieces with soy sauce and let them marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
- After marinating, coat the pork pieces with cornstarch and then dip them in the beaten egg.
- Dredge the pork pieces in flour, ensuring they are evenly coated.
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Frying the Pork:
- Heat enough vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok for frying.
- Fry the pork pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per batch). Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
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Making the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- In a separate pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing until fragrant.
- Add the bell peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks, and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften but still retain some crunch.
- Pour in the pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and soy sauce. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
-
Thickening the Sauce:
- Once the sauce is simmering, add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to thicken the sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
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Combining the Pork with the Sauce:
- Add the fried pork pieces to the sauce, tossing everything together so the pork is well coated with the sweet and sour sauce.
- Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
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Serving:
- Serve the Cerdo en salsa agridulce hot over steamed white rice, garnished with additional pineapple or green onions if desired.
Tips:
- You can add other vegetables like carrots or zucchini for more variety.
- Adjust the sugar and vinegar to taste if you prefer the sauce sweeter or tangier.
- For a healthier version, you can skip frying the pork and stir-fry it instead.
This Cerdo en salsa agridulce is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, with the crispiness of the pork adding a delightful texture. It's a great dish to enjoy with family or friends!
