Dish of Pork with Cashews
(click to enlarge)

Pork with Cashews


China, Guangzhou

Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
2 main
***
1-1/2 hrs
Most
This popular classic has a long ingredient list but it's actually pretty simple and easy to make.

3
2
10
-----
1/2
1/2
1/2
2
-----
the
2
3
3
2
-----
1/3
1
1/2
1/2
1/16
1
-----
ar

oz

oz
---
T
t
t
t
---


oz
oz
cl
---
c
t
t
t
t
t
---

Cashew Nuts raw
Black Mushroom (1)  
Pork (2)
---- Marinade
Rice Wine (3)
Salt
Sugar
Cornstarch
--------
Mushrooms
Scallions
Bell Pepper, red
Bell Pepper, green
Garlic
---- Sauce
Stock
Soy Sauce, dark
Salt
Sugar
Pepper
Cornstarch
--------
Oil (deep fry)

Prep   -   (55 min - 25 min work)
  1. Soak MUSHROOMS in cool water for at least 45 minutes.
  2. Dice PORK into about 1/2 inch cubes.
  3. Mix all MARINADE items and massage into Pork. Let stand at least 20 minutes turning once or twice.
  4. Squeeze out Mushrooms and dice about 3/8 inch. Cut SCALLIONS into 1/2 inch lengths, Dice BELL PEPPERS about 1/2 inch. Chop GARLIC fine. Mix all.
  5. Mix all SAUCE items.
Run   -   (35 min)
  1. In a wok or sauté pan heat OIL enough to deep fry - about 1/2 cup in a wok, 2/3 cup in a sauté pan. When hot stir in the CASHEWS fry stirring just until just lightly colored - then get them out fast! Over cooked cashews are bitter.
  2. Bring the oil up very hot and at the first hint of smoke stir in the Pork. Fry stirring over high heat until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Pour out all but about 1 T of the oil. Stir Vegetable mix into the remaining oil and fry stirring until crisp tender, about 3 minutes,
  4. Stir in the Sauce mix and fry stirring until it thickens.
  5. Stir the Pork back in and fry stirring until pork is well coated with sauce.
  6. Serve hot with Cashews sprinkled on top.
NOTES:
  1. Black Mushrooms

      [Forest Mushrooms]   These are the regular dried Shiitakes, available even in the Asian section of most supermarkets.
  2. Pork:

      This should be lean pork but from any meaty cut will do.
  3. Rice Wine:   Use a good drinkable Rice Wine, not that horrid "cooking wine". If you don't have it, use a dry Sherry. Sake is made of rice but not considered a good substitute, it's beer, not wine. For details see our Chinese Rice Wine page.
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch
smm_pigcash1 071018 af146
©Andrew Grygus - ajg@aaxnet.com - Linking and non-commercial use permitted