Tangy Pineapple Pork Delight
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Tangy Pineapple Pork Delight, a delightful dish that combines crispy pork tenderloin with a luscious sweet and sour sauce. This delectable recipe utilizes juicy pineapple chunks and fresh vegetables to create a perfect balance of taste, making it an ideal dish for gatherings or family dinners. It's easy to prepare and can be frozen for later enjoyment, ensuring you always have a satisfying meal on hand.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
oil
as needed (for deep fat frying)
pork tenderloin
2 lbs (trimmed and cut into large pieces)
flour
1/2 cup (for batter)
cornstarch
1/4 cup (for batter)
cold water
1/2 cup (for batter)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (for batter)
egg
1 (beaten)
pineapple chunks
1 (20 ounce) can (drained and syrup reserved)
brown sugar
1 cup
white vinegar
1 cup
salt
1 teaspoon
soy sauce
4 teaspoons
carrots
4 (sliced thin)
garlic clove
1 (finely chopped)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (for thickening sauce)
cold water
2 tablespoons (for thickening sauce)
green pepper
1 medium (chopped)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the pineapple juice: add enough water to the drained pineapple syrup to measure 1 cup.
2
In a Dutch oven, bring the pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, soy sauce, sliced carrots, and finely chopped garlic to a boil.
3
Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat until the carrots are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
4
While the carrots are cooking, trim any excess fat from the pork tenderloin and cut it into large bite-sized pieces.
5
Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy skillet to 360°F (182°C).
6
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and egg until smooth.
7
Add the pork pieces to the batter and stir until well coated.
8
Carefully fry the pork in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, for about 5 minutes or until golden brown, turning occasionally for even cooking.
9
Remove the fried pork from the oil and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil while keeping it warm.
10
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Set aside.
11
Once the carrots are cooked, increase the heat under the sauce and stir in the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
12
With the sauce bubbling, gently fold in the fried pork, pineapple chunks, and chopped green pepper, stirring for about 1 minute or until heated through.
13
Serve the Tangy Pineapple Pork Delight hot over a bed of steamed rice.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tangy Pineapple Pork Delight?
It is a dish featuring crispy pork tenderloin pieces tossed in a sweet and sour sauce with pineapple chunks and fresh vegetables.
What cut of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into large bite-sized pieces.
What ingredients are in the pork batter?
The batter consists of 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and one beaten egg.
What temperature should the oil be for frying the pork?
The oil should be heated to 360°F (182°C) in a deep fryer or heavy skillet.
How long does it take to fry the pork pieces?
The pork should be fried in batches for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
How is the pineapple juice prepared for the sauce?
Drain the syrup from a 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks and add enough water to the syrup to measure 1 cup.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes four thinly sliced carrots and one medium chopped green pepper.
How do you thicken the sweet and sour sauce?
Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry and stir it into the boiling sauce until it thickens.
What type of sugar is used for the sweetness?
The recipe uses 1 cup of brown sugar to provide the sweet component of the sauce.
Is garlic used in this dish?
Yes, one finely chopped garlic clove is added to the sauce base.
What type of vinegar is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of white vinegar.
How much soy sauce is required?
The recipe uses 4 teaspoons of soy sauce.
Can this recipe be frozen for later?
Yes, it can be frozen for later enjoyment, making it a convenient meal prep option.
How should the pork be handled after frying?
Remove the fried pork from the oil and drain it on paper towels to absorb excess oil while keeping it warm.
When do you add the green pepper?
The chopped green pepper is folded into the bubbling sauce at the very end along with the fried pork and pineapple chunks.
How long should the final mixture be heated?
Stir the combined ingredients for about 1 minute or until they are heated through.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the Tangy Pineapple Pork Delight hot over a bed of steamed rice.
How should the carrots be cooked?
The carrots should be boiled in the sauce mixture until they are crisp-tender.
Should the egg for the batter be beaten?
Yes, the egg should be beaten before being whisked into the other batter ingredients.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch in the batter?
Cornstarch helps create a light and crispy texture for the fried pork coating.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
While the exact serving count is not specified, it uses 2 lbs of pork, making it suitable for a large family dinner.
How much salt is used in the sauce?
The sauce uses 1 teaspoon of salt in addition to the salt found in the soy sauce.
What size should the pineapple chunks be?
The recipe uses standard canned pineapple chunks, drained from a 20-ounce can.
Can I fry all the pork at once?
No, it is recommended to fry the pork in batches to ensure the pan is not overcrowded and the pork cooks evenly.
Is the pork tenderloin trimmed?
Yes, any excess fat should be trimmed from the pork tenderloin before cutting it into pieces.
What cookware is best for the sauce?
A Dutch oven is recommended for bringing the sauce ingredients to a boil and simmering the carrots.
How much water is mixed with the cornstarch for the slurry?
2 tablespoons of cold water are used to mix with the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch for thickening.
Does this recipe include soy sauce?
Yes, 4 teaspoons of soy sauce are added to the sauce for flavor and color.
Is the batter whisked until smooth?
Yes, the flour, cornstarch, water, salt, and egg should be whisked until the mixture is smooth.
What makes the dish 'tangy'?
The tanginess comes from the combination of white vinegar and pineapple juice in the sauce base.