Secrets to Cooking Tender, Flavorful Sweet and Sour Pork – Mytour

Pork is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, offering versatility and deliciousness. One standout dish is sweet and sour pork, fragrant and irresistible. Let's explore how to prepare this dish with Mytour in the following article.

1. Introduction to Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork is a universally loved dish. It tantalizes taste buds and pairs perfectly with rice. The tender pork, infused with flavorful spices, harmonizes with the tangy-sweet sauce, ensuring a delightful meal.

Photo: @eatwithmyfen

With Mytour's simple recipe for sweet and sour pork below, busy moms can still prepare this dish safely and hygienically. By adding this recipe to your family's main menu, you've got a new dish to enjoy.

2. Homemade Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

First, let's gather the ingredients for this dish:

Preparing Ingredients

• Pork belly: 500g
• Cornstarch (or substitute with flour if unavailable)
• Chili: 1
• Garlic: 3 cloves
• Shallots: 2 – 3 bulbs
• Cilantro (or replace with green onions if unavailable)
• Seasonings: cooking oil, oyster sauce, lime, seasoning powder, sugar, fish sauce, pepper, etc.

Photo: Collected

Cooking Steps

Step 1: Firstly, rinse the pork after purchasing and soak it in diluted salt water for about 3-5 minutes to reduce its odor. Then, rinse it with water and let it drain. Next, cut the pork into bite-sized pieces. If you don't prefer pork belly, you can use other cuts like pork shoulder or pork loin to suit your family members' tastes.

Peel and finely chop the shallots and garlic (you can use a food processor). Clean and finely chop the chili (you can replace it with chili paste for less spiciness). Cut the lime in half, squeeze out the juice, and remove the seeds to avoid bitterness.

Check out some other delicious pork dishes:

• Tender Five-Spice Grilled Pork
• Recipe for Braised Pork

Photo: Collected

Step 2: Marinate the meat with 10ml fish sauce, 2 teaspoons seasoning powder, 2 teaspoons oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon pepper. Mix well to blend the seasoning with the meat, marinate the meat for about 7 to 10 minutes.

Make the sweet and sour sauce: Pour fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, chopped shallots, minced garlic, and chili into a small bowl. Stir well until the sugar dissolves and the spices blend together.

Photo: Collected

Step 3:: Take the marinated pork and add 3 teaspoons of cornstarch, mix well so the flour sticks to the meat. Put oil in a pan, fry the meat for about 3-5 minutes then reduce the heat. Note that you shouldn't fry the meat for too long or it will become dry and tough. Especially if using pork belly, just use a little cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 4:: Finally, pour the sweet and sour sauce over the meat. Simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens and the meat absorbs it evenly. Plate the meat and garnish with some cilantro for a pleasing presentation.

3. Finished Product

After completion, the sweet and sour pork will have an appealing golden color. The exterior is coated with a thick, glossy sauce, sweet and tangy, while the interior remains tender without being dry or tough. It's recommended to eat it while hot for the best flavor experience.

Photo: Collected

4. Tips for Delicious Sweet and Sour Pork

• For this sweet and sour pork dish, you can choose pork loin, pork belly, or whatever suits your family's taste.
• It's best to select meat with a fresh pink color and good elasticity. Choose reputable stores or sources to ensure food safety. Avoid soft, non-elastic, slimy, or unpleasant-smelling meat as it could be spoiled or rotten.
• Additionally, if using pork belly, choose meat with a balanced ratio of lean meat and fat, where the lean meat sticks tightly to the fat layer for easier cooking and consumption.

By now, you must be unable to resist the allure of sweet and sour pork, right? Hurry to the kitchen and prepare it using the recipe from Mytour Blog to enjoy this exquisite dish with your family on this chilly, drizzly day.

Explore more articles:

• Special Roasted Pork
• How to Cook Pork Loin in a Pan