~You do not sew with a fork, and I see no reason why you should eat with knitting needles.~
-Miss Piggy
Chinese food is one of those mystery foods, depending on the restaurant you dine in. You can ask them ten questions about how something is prepared, but you'll probably come away just as clueless as you started. Every "family style bean curd" is different than the next, who exactly is General Tso?, and don't get me started on the broth in the Tofu soup. So, as with most foods, it is best to prepare it yourself at home. This recipe turned out delicious, and is very easy to make. Because you prepare the protein separate from the vegetables, vegan and carnivore can use the same sauce with their preferred protein. (And leave the peppers out, if need be.) The warm pineapple provides the true meaning of the name "Sweet and Sour." Serve with steamed brown rice and/or rice noodles.
Ingredients
- 1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks or tidbits, packed in juice
- 3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce (I use Braggs)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Carnivore protein of choice, or 1 14-ounce package extra-firm water-packed tofu, drained, rinsed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-by-2-inch strips
- 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-by-2-inch strips
Directions
- Drain and set aside pineapple, reserving 1/4 cup of the juice. Whisk the reserved pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Place meat/tofu in a large bowl; toss with 3 tablespoons of the sauce. Let marinate for at least 5 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add cornstarch to the remaining sauce and whisk until smooth.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer the meat/tofu to the pan using a slotted spoon; whisk any remaining marinade into the bowl of reserved sauce. Brown the meat or cook the tofu, stirring every 1 to 2 minutes, until golden brown, 7 to 9 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add red and green peppers and cook, stirring often, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the reserved sauce and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 30 seconds. Add the meat/tofu and pineapple and cook, stirring gently, until heated through, about 2 minutes more.
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