Sarasota's Sweet & Sour Pork Recipe

"This originally was not my recipe; although, after a few changes; I have found that it is one of my favorite easy recipes. I found it in one of those small check out lane cookbooks; and, it is just so easy and quick to make. This can easily be subbed with chicken; but I prefer the pork. Also, you can package up the pork in the marinade as well as the vegetables and freeze everything. Then, pull them out of the freezer into the refrigerator; and when you come home ... all you have to do is a quick stir fry and make the sauce. That is a great easy dinner. Prep time does not include marinating."

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Marinade ... Mix all the ingredients into a ziploc bag or a non-reactive (glass bowl); add the meat and mix to combine. Seal the bag or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours up to 24 hrs. I prefer to marinate it over night if possible. You can also freeze the pork (or chicken if you decided to use that) right in the marinade for later on.

Step 2

Remove the pork, and let it come to room temperature. If removing from the freezer; just let it thaw in the refrigerator all day.

Step 3

Sauce ... Mix up the soy sauce, vinegar, corn starch, pineapple (including the juice) and brown sugar and set to the side.

Step 4

Vegetables ... Make sure the onions are thawed. I like to do this in a colander so they do not sit in water as they thaw. Place the onions on a paper towel for 5 minutes to dry off. You don't want to add WET vegetables to a HOT saute pan. Prepare the peppers.

Step 5

Stir Fry ... Bring the pan up to high heat - WOK or Stir Fry's are done in HOT pans, so you don't want the vegetables to slowly saute. Add, the vegetable oil to the hot pan, and then add the pork; cook until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. It will continue to cook when you add the vegetables; so it DOES NOT need be cooked all the way through at this point.

Step 6

Vegetables ... Push the pork over to the side, and add the peppers and onions. Stir a minute, keeping the pork on the side; then add the garlic, and bring the pork back in. Mix well to combine. Now, it is time to add the sauce.

Step 7

Sauce ... Add the sauce and mix well. Reduce the heat to medium and stir until the sauce thickens. Cook another minute or two to finish cooking the pork and until the vegetables are tender crisp. This entire meal takes just a few minutes to make; so make sure to have everything prepared ahead.