Deep – Fried and Sauced Pork Cubes: A Northeastern Chinese Delight

Deep – Fried and Sauced Pork Cubes, hailing from northeastern China, is a well – loved dish celebrated for its crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. The sweet – and – sour sauce perfectly complements the flavor of the pork. Here’s a step – by – step guide to making this mouthwatering dish at home.

Ingredients

For the Pork

• 300g lean pork (such as pork loin)
• 1 large egg
• 70g potato starch
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper
• 1 tablespoon of cooking wine

For the Sauce

• 3 tablespoons of ketchup
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 3 tablespoons of water
• 1 tablespoon of potato starch

For Garnish

• Some scallions, cut into sections
• Some sesame seeds

Step – by – Step Cooking Process

Preparing the Pork

1. Cut the lean pork into 2 – 3 cm cubes. Place the pork cubes in a bowl.
2. Add a pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper, and 1 tablespoon of cooking wine to the bowl. Mix well.
3. Crack the egg into the bowl with the pork. Add 70g of potato starch. Stir until the pork cubes are evenly coated with the egg – starch mixture. Let it rest for about 15 minutes.

Making the Sauce

1. In a separate bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 3 tablespoons of water. Stir well.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of potato starch to the sauce mixture. Stir until the starch is completely dissolved.

Deep – Frying the Pork

1. Heat a generous amount of oil in a deep pan or wok over medium – high heat. When the oil reaches about 160°C (you can test by dropping a small piece of the egg – starch mixture; it should sink first and then float to the surface), carefully add the marinated pork cubes to the oil.
2. Fry the pork cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 3 – 4 minutes until they turn light golden – brown. Remove the pork cubes with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain excess oil.
3. Increase the heat to high. Return the fried pork cubes to the hot oil and fry for an additional 1 – 2 minutes until they turn a deep golden – brown and become extra crispy. Remove and drain again.

Stir – Frying with the Sauce

1. Pour out most of the oil from the wok, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Heat the remaining oil over medium heat.
2. Pour the prepared sauce into the wok. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble.
3. Add the deep – fried pork cubes to the wok. Toss the pork cubes in the sauce to ensure they are evenly coated.

Serving

1. Transfer the Deep – Fried and Sauced Pork Cubes to a serving plate.
2. Garnish with scallion sections and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.

Now, your delicious Deep – Fried and Sauced Pork Cubes are ready to enjoy. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice, bringing the rich flavors of northeastern Chinese cuisine to your dining table.