HONEY PORK ORIENTAL/SWEET n SOUR PORK STIR FRY (for Steven)

This is a really easy dish (it works wonderfully in an electric skillet)

HONEY PORK ORIENTAL

1 1/2 cps Water
1 envelope French's Brown Gravy Mix
1/4 cup Honey
3 Tbl Soy Sauce
2 Tbl Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp ground Ginger
1/4 tsp minced Garlic
2 Tbl Oil (I prefer peanut oil)
2 to 3 lbs Pork Steak (boned, trimmed, and cut into 1/2" cubes
1 med Onion (chopped)
1 sm Bell Pepper (any color), chopped
4 Carrots, thinly sliced

In a mixing bowl, whisk the gravy mix into the water. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger and garlic. Set aside.

In large skillet (NOT cast iron), heat oil on med high (350 on elec. skillet) till you see a wisp of smoke. Add the pork, and brown about 10 min. Add onion and bell pepper, cook, stirring, until onion just begins to clarify. Stir sauce and pour over meat, reduce heat to simmer and cook, covered about 15 mins, stirring occasionally. Add carrots, cook 20 min covered, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice.

Like my sister, I can almost never resist the temptation to experiment with recipes. Over the years, this recipe has morphed into:

SWEET N SOUR PORK STIR FRY
Sauce:
1 1/2 cp Water
1/4 cp & 1 Tbl Brown Sugar, firmly packed
3 Tbl Soy Sauce
2 Tbl Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp ground Ginger
1 clove Garlic, minced
2 tsp Cornstarch

Whisk together and set aside.
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2 Tbl Peanut Oil
2 to 3 lbs Pork Steak (boned, trimmed, and sliced against the grain into 1/4" strips
2 ribs Celery, sliced thin
4 Carrots, sliced thin
1 bunch Green Onions (including greens) , sliced diagonally into 3/8" pieces
1 med Bell Pepper (sliced into thin strips)
8 oz Sugar Snap Peas, fresh or frozen

Heat Wok over med high heat. It is is ready when it is uncomfortable to hold your hand 1" above the surface. Add the oil. When the first wisp of smoke appears, add the pork. Stir fry until juice cooks off and pork just starts to brown. Add celery and carrots, stir fry 6 min. Add remaining vegetables, stir fry 3 min. Stir sauce and pour over wok contents. Cook, stirring, until sauce starts to thicken. Remove from heat, serve over rice, chinese noodles, or chow mein noodles.

Best song to cook this dish by: RUNNING ON EMPTY by Jackson Browne

posted by Mark