Sweet And Sour Delight

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: Chinese

Sweet And Sour Delight offers a vibrant combination of tender chicken or pork coated in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce. Bright pineapple chunks, crunchy vegetables, and aromatic ginger make this dish a colorful favorite for family dinners or casual gatherings, pairing perfectly with steamed rice.

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. chicken or pork
  • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 medium green pepper
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. catsup
  • 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 2 cans chunk pineapple, undrained

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken or pork into 1/2-inch pieces.
  2. Brown in vegetable oil; reduce heat to low.
  3. Add chopped onion and pressed garlic; cover and cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Add sliced carrots and chunks of green pepper.
  5. Combine white vinegar, brown sugar, catsup, soy sauce, cornstarch, and ground ginger to make the sauce.
  6. Stir the sauce into the skillet with the cooked ingredients.
  7. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes longer.
  8. Serve hot with rice.

Tips & Substitutions

For a twist, try using tofu instead of chicken or pork for a vegetarian version. You can also substitute bell peppers with broccoli or snap peas for a different crunch. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the brown sugar slightly. Ensure to cut the vegetables evenly for uniform cooking. This dish pairs well with Laotian Fried Rice.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Sweet And Sour Delight over a bed of steaming white or brown rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a complete meal, consider adding a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. This dish also pairs well with other Asian-inspired recipes like Stir-Fry Minced Chicken With Vegetables for a delightful dinner spread.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring between, to prevent overcooking. This way, the chicken or pork remains tender without becoming dry.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Sweet And Sour Delight contains roughly 362 calories, with 11g protein, 72g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (191% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (49% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2581mg per serving (112% of the Daily Value).

362 kcal 18% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 10.7g 21% DV
Total Fat 5.8g 7% DV
Carbs 72.1g 26% DV
Fiber 9.1g 33% DV
Sugar 21.6g 43% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2580.6mg 100% DV
Potassium 1183.5mg 25% DV
Cholesterol 6.4mg 2% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 439.6mcg 49% DV
Vitamin C 172.2mg 100% DV
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 124.6mg 10% DV
Iron 4.5mg 25% DV
Diet fit High-fiber Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Soy

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the ingredients and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, simply brown the meat and combine everything as per the recipe. This will save you time on busy days.

What can I use instead of brown sugar?

If you’re out of brown sugar, you can substitute it with white sugar mixed with a little molasses for a similar flavor. Alternatively, honey or maple syrup can work, but they may alter the taste slightly.

Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of regular soy sauce. Ensure that any other sauces or pre-packaged ingredients you use are also gluten-free to keep the dish compliant.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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