On the brink of Chinese New Years, I was visiting my parents place and my dad (ie GastroPapa) was interrogating me when we would be filming the next CookShow. I said I wanted to some time soon but we’d have to coordinate with my sister, the one with the sweet camera. He asked me whether my iphone cook take videos..um…yes it can but probably not that great!

The point being is that he was going to cook a really good dish that day – and he wanted me to record it. Well I did, but I can’t say it’s that refined! But you know what, my dad gets so happy to do these things, I couldn’t say no.

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He cooked his version of Sweet and Sour Pork, which is my favourite version (I guess it just goes that way when your parents cook!). I definitely encourage adding red hot chilli to the sauce or even using chilli vinegar. It gives it the kick in between being sweet and sour. Check out the video and the recipe below!

You can find this recipe and more in our cookbook, Filipino Cooking Made Easy!

Here’s the Recipe:

Sweet and Sour Pork
1/2 lb lean pork putt, cut into 1″ cubes
1/2 cube of pork stock
1 egg slightly beaten
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1tsp salt
1/4 c water
oil for deep frying

Garnishes:
1/2 cup pineapple chunks, drained
1/2 cup cubed green pepper
1/2 cup diced carrots

Procedure:
1) Sprinkle pork with pork stock

2) combine eggs flour cornstarch salt and water. Stir to blend throughly

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3) Put cooking oil in deep fryer in 2″ height, bring temperature to 350F.

4) Use medium heat if cooking on stove.

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5) Dip pork cubes in egg mixture and drop in hot oil. Fry 8-10 pieces at a time,

6) Cook until golden brown

7) Drain in paper towels, set aside.

8 ) Prepare sauce.

When ready to serve, reheat oil to 350F , fry pork cubes again for 2 minutes to make it crispy.

Place pork in serving dish.

Prepare garnishes

Cooked carrots in boiling water for 2 minutes, add green peppers and cook for half a minute. Remove from heat and drain and rinse in cold water.

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Combine with drained pineapple chunks.

Garnish the top of the pork cubes and sauce.

 

Sweet and Sour Sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pork stock
2/3 c water
2 tsp soy sauce OR ketchup
4 tbl sugar
5 tbl vinegar
2 tbll corn starch dissolved in 1/3 cup water
1 tsp cooking oil

Procedure:
In a glass or bowl, combine all ingredients except cornstarch solution and oil. Bring to a boil, stir cornstarch, cook until mixture becomes thick and transparent – about 1-2 minutes. Stir in oil to give it “shine”.

Serves 6-10 people.