Sweet and Sour

This is a recipe I adapted after spending two years on Okinawa with my military family. We lived near what was then Naha AFB and often ventured to nearby restaurants and shops. I especially enjoyed a little restaurant near Black Market Alley shopping district that served the best sweet and sour dishes I had ever experienced. This has been a favorite ever since.

Basic sauce: Combine in a saucepan 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 T. cornstarch, 1/2 tsp salt.
Add:
Juice from one can of pineapple tidbits
1 T grenadine (pomegranate juice)
2 T tomato paste, if desired
1/4 cup vinegar
1 T. soy sauce (may be omitted for soy allergies)
2-4 drops sesame oil
Stir well and heat until thickened. Set aside.

Use one of the following meats: Pork, Ham, Chicken or Shrimp
Meat can be prepared either by browning and simmering in a little water until cooked thoroughly, or breaded and deep fried. If using the brown and simmer method, once meat is cooked add vegetables to the pan. If breading and deep frying the meat, do this and set the meat aside. A tip for breading: add a little cornstarch to breading mix for a crust that is extra crispy and adheres better to what you're frying. Great for making onion rings as well.

Vegetables:
Slice any or all of the following, as desired: Onions, Celery, Carrots, Green Peppers
Tomato if desired(set aside, do not cook with other vegetables)
Cucumber(yes, that's traditional-I don't use cucumbers myself)
Saute chopped vegetables until translucent and still crisp.
Add tomato and cucumber, if desired, and drained pineapple tidbits. Heat just until these are warmed.
Combine sauce, meat and vegetable mixture. Serve over rice.


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