Sweet and Sour Pork

Here is the recipe for a classic Sweet and Sour Pork, with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 500 g pork tenderloin
• 1 egg
• Flour as needed for breading
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the sweet and sour sauce:

• 5 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 100 ml orange juice
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (cornflour), dissolved in 2 tablespoons water

For the vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, cut into pieces
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into pieces
• 1 medium onion, cut into pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh or canned pineapple, cut into pieces (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by cutting the pork tenderloin into bite-sized pieces. Beat the egg in a bowl and place the flour on a plate.
2. Coat the pork pieces first in the beaten egg and then in the flour, making sure the breading adheres well.
3. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the breaded pork until golden and crispy. Then, set aside on paper towels.
4. For the sweet and sour sauce: in a small saucepan, mix the vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and orange juice. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and add the cornstarch dissolved in water, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
6. In a large pan, sauté the garlic, bell peppers, and onion. After a few minutes, add the pineapple (if using).
7. Add the fried pork to the pan with the vegetables and pour the sweet and sour sauce over it. Stir well to coat the pork evenly.
8. Let everything simmer in the pan for a couple of minutes and then serve.

Fun Fact

Sweet and Sour Pork is a dish that originates from Chinese cuisine, specifically from the Sichuan province, but it has spread in numerous variants around the world. The version presented here has an Italian touch in the use of apple cider vinegar and the addition of orange juice, which gives a pleasant and fresh citrus note.