Oliver says of this recipe:
“OK, this is easy, but it’s a quick one, so you’ll have to concentrate and stay on the ball. Sweet and sour pork is an absolute classic and was one of the first Chinese-style dishes introduced to Britain. I’ve tried to make it fresh, light and full of wonderful crunch, sweetness and flavor. I’ve also brightened it up by introducing some lettuce leaves, which add texture and freshness. It’s best to cook this for two – perfect, fast, one-pan cooking for nights in.”
Oliver refers to “lugs” of oil – presumably a British term for “dollop,” which I interpreted to mean about a tablespoon. I also toasted the sesame seeds by putting them in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned.
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 c. long-grain or basmati rice
- ½ lb. pork tenderloin, preferably free-range or organic
- 1 small red onion
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper (or ½ of each)
- A thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger
- 2 cloves of garlic
- ½ - 1 fresh red chile, to your taste
- a small bunch of fresh cilantro
- peanut or vegetable oil
- 1 heaped teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1x 8-ounce can of pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 small heart of romaine or ½ butterhead lettuce [torn into large pieces]
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds [toasted if desired]
To prepare your stir-fry
Bring a pan of salted water to a boil and add the rice. Cook according to package directions. Drain the rice in a strainer, put back in the pan, and cover to keep warm until needed.
Halve the pork tenderloin and cut into ¾ inch cubes. Peel and halve the red onion, then dice into ¾ inch cubes. Halve the bell pepper, seed, and cut into ¾ inch cubes. Peel and finely slice the ginger and garlic. Finely slice the chile. Pick the cilantro leaves and put them to one side. Finely chop the cilantro stalks.
To cook your stir-fry
Preheat a wok or large frying pan on high heat and once it’s very, very hot, add a good lug of oil and swirl it around. Add the pork and five-spice powder and toss or stir them around. Cook for a few minutes until browned, then transfer to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
Carefully give the wok or pan a quick wipe with a ball of paper towels and return to the heat. When it’s really hot, add 2 good lugs of oil and all the chopped ingredients. Toss or stir everything together and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Let everything cook for 30 to 40 seconds, then add the pineapple chunks with their juice, the browned pork and balsamic vinegar. Season with black pepper and a little more soy sauce, if needed.
Break open a piece of the pork, check it’s cooked through, and remove from the heat. Reduce the sauce to a gravy-like consistency by cooking for a few minutes more.
To serve your stir-fry
Divide the rice and lettuce between two bowls or plates. Spoon the pork, veggies, and sauce over the top and sprinkle with the sesame seeds and reserved cilantro leaves.
“From JAMIE’S FOOD REVOLUTION by Jamie Oliver. Copyright © 2009. Photographs by David Loftus. Published by Hyperion. Available wherever books are sold. All Rights Reserved.”
