This is a much more traditional version of Sweet and Sour than the Anglicised bright Orange version we’re familiar with from Chinese takeaways.

Protein Ingredient:-

Pork Loin, cut into strips with the fat removed

Marinade Ingredients:-

2 Tbsp of Shaoxing Wine
½ a Tsp of Salt

Sauce Ingredients:-

¼ Tsp of Salt
4 Tsp of Cornflour
3 Tbsp of Sugar
2 Tbsp of Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbsp of Soy Sauce (Gluten free works fine)
3 Spring Onions, green parts chopped
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
200ml of Chicken Stock
1 Tsp of Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp of Sesame Seeds
2 Tsp of fresh Ginger, grated
½ a Red Pepper, sliced
Oil to fry

Batter Ingredients:-

2 Eggs, beaten
70g of Cornflour
Salt & Pepper to season

Method:-

(1) Place the Pork strips on a bowl with the Salt and Shaoxing Wine. Cover with cling film and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes.
(2) For the Sauce combine the Soy Sauce, Cornflour, Salt, Sugar and Vinegar in a bowl.
(3) In another bowl add the Egg, Cornflour and Salt & Pepper. Whisk you form a thick batter.
(4) Dunk the Pork in the butter in batches and ensure that it is fully coated.
(5) Fry in batches at 160c for about 3 minutes and drain on kitchen paper.
(6) Increase the heat to 180c and re-fry until crisp and golden.
(7) Heat the Oil in a frying pan and add the Garlic, Ginger and Red Pepper. Cook until fragrant.
(8) Add the Stock and bring to the boil.
(9) Add the Sauce and stir briskly until it thickens.
(10) Add the Spring Onions and stir in.
(11) Add the Pork to the Sauce.
(12) Serve over boiled Rice, garnished with sliced Spring Onions and Sesame seeds.

We really enjoyed this version. It’s easy to see how the English / Chinese rendition evolved from something similar.