Peking Pork Chops

Thin cuts of pork which have been fried and then tossed in a sweet, spicy, and vinegary sauce.  Peking Pork Chops are a popular Chinese buffet dish which can be easily made at home too! So fast, so easy, and so simple, these make a great weeknight family dinner option!

PEKING PORK CHOPS

I could have devoured this entire skillet of Peking Pork Chops.  I could have, and I wanted to, but I didn’t.  Not only do I have a weak spot for pork, but I also have a weak spot for anything cooked or tossed in a sauce, and lately, Dear Reader, I’m developing a weakness for anything with a kick of spice to it.

But, rather than devouring the entire dish, I was good, responsible, and considerate.  I ate a few pieces of the Peking Pork Chops and gave the rest to my neighbours.  Gone are the days when I could eat large servings and not suffer the consequences of an upset stomach.  What can I say, it’s the curse of being in my 40’s.

WHAT ARE PEKING PORK CHOPS?

Peking refers to a dish that is a sweet and sour style. Originating in Wuxi in the form of spare ribs, it was then popularized overseas through Cantonese and Chinese restaurants.

The capital refers to the Nanjing capital, an area where sweet and sour cooking originated in China. This dish consists of pork chops that are marinated in a sweet red sauce. The pork should be firm and crisp, with a slightly sweet glaze that does not overwhelm the tenderness of the pork.

You can find Peking dishes in many Chinese and dim sum restaurants. It’s especially popular during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR THIS RECIPE:

The following is a list of the ingredients needed to prepare this recipe. For exact amounts and measurements, refer to the printable recipe card located near the bottom of this post.

• Pork Chops – I used boneless pork loin chops. You can use any type of pork chop, but try to get boneless to save yourself the time of cutting out the bone.
• Eggs – These are used in the marinade.
• Cornstarch – Used to coat the pork and get a crispy coating.
• Rice Wine Vinegar – This adds some zing to the marinade, but also helps to tenderize the pork a little. You can use champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even lemon juice.
• Sauces & Condiments – All of these items combine to create a delicious, sweet, sticky, warm sauce. You’ll need ketchup, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and oyster sauce.
• Sugar – This adds the sweetness and helps to add a caramelized flavour to the sauce.

HOW TO MAKE PEKING PORK CHOPS

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients.  Add the pounded pork pieces and toss to completely coat.  Cover and marinade for 30 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the sauce by whisking together all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl.  Set aside.

Using a large skillet, fry the pork pieces in small batches in a single layer.  Over medium heat, fry each piece for 3 minutes per side.  Transfer cooked pork to a paper towel-lined plate until all of the pork has been fried. 

Once all the pork has been fried and set aside, pour the sauce into the skillet and over medium heat, bring the sauce to a slight boil. Add the pork pieces back to the skillet.  Toss well to coat with the sauce.  Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened.  Serve immediately.

THE RESULTS

Sometimes, I prepare a dish that surpasses my expectations.  This dish particularly, did just that.  The chops were perfectly seasoned and cooked just right.  All pork lovers know there’s nothing worse than overcooked pork!  And that sauce is so spectacular!  It’s got every component that makes for a good sauce – salt, sweet, and heat!

QUESTIONS?

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