Thai-Style Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe

It was the Chinese who originally created sweet and sour cooking, but the Thais also do it very well. This Thai version of Sweet and Sour Pork has a fresher and cleaner flavor than the original. It makes a good one-dish meal when served over hot boiled rice.

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

350 g/12 oz lean pork
30 ml/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
1 small red onion, sliced
30 ml/2 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
15 ml/1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 red (bell) pepper, seeded and diced
½ cucumber, seeded and sliced
2 plum tomatoes, cut into wedges
115 g/4 oz piece of fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks
2 scallions (spring onions), cut into short lengths
Ground black pepper

To garnish:

Cilantro (coriander) leaves
Scallions (spring onions), shredded

Method:

Place the pork in the freezer for 30-40 minutes, until firm. Using a sharp knife, cut it into thin strips. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add the garlic. Cook over a medium heat until golden, then add the pork and stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes. Add the onion slices and toss to mix.

Add the fish sauce, sugar and ground black pepper to taste. Toss the mixture over the heat for 3-4 minutes more.

Stir in the red pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, pineapple and scallions. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes more, then spoon into a bowl. Garnish with the cilantro and scallions and serve.