This Asian-style pork stir fry was one of the earliest recipes that I posted on this blog, like, in the first month of blogging. Compared to many Asian takeout dishes, such as Beef Chow Fun or Kung Pao Chicken, this dish is more homestyle. It represents what we cook and eat at home most often. Of course, we all love a great Sweet and Sour Chicken or Orange Beef once in a while. But in an Asian household, we prefer to cook less sugary dishes on the average weekday, to keep our meals healthy.
Cooking notes
This simple pork stir fry is a perfect example of what we eat on a daily basis.
1. Cheap to make
The dish uses very plain ingredients – pork loin, onion, and peppers. These are widely available and economical. The recipe also uses some Asian ingredients such as soy sauce and Shaoxing wine, but you would already have them in your pantry if you cook Asian food at home.
2. Aromatics
The fresh garlic and ginger are the key ingredients that make the dish extra fragrant. If you do not have ginger root, use 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger instead. But I would not skip the fresh garlic since it gives the sauce extra flavor.
3. Marinade
You’d be surprised at what a difference 10 minutes of marinating can make. Say goodbye to plain and tough meat. Instead, your pork will turn out flavorful, juicy, and tender. The trick is to use the Shaoxing wine to boost the flavor. The cornstarch will tenderize the meat, and protect the meat from over-cooking during the stir-fry. It might look like a lot of trouble to transfer the cooked pork to a plate then add it back. But trust me, it’s the secret to not overcooking anything, and to getting perfect tender pork and crispy peppers. If you’re not familiar with Asian stir fry, just remember that things happen very quickly and you should have all the ingredients ready to go. Once you cook the pork stir fry, simply serve it over steamed rice and you’ll have a one-bowl dinner ready. It tastes so good!
More Asian stir fry recipes
Stir Fried Ground Pork with Green Beans Eggplant in Garlic Sauce Moo Shu Pork Beef and Broccoli General Tso Tofu Hunan Chicken
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and take a picture and tag it @omnivorescookbook on Instagram! I’d love to see what you come up with.
