Chinese Restaurant-Style Salt & Pepper Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 500 g Pork sizzle steaks (about 1 lb; thinly sliced pork chops)
• 3 Garlic (minced)
• 0.5 Green capsicum (diced; also known as bell pepper)
• 0.5 Onion (sliced)
• 2 Spring onion (sliced)
• Oil (for frying)
• 1 tbsp Cooking wine (Shaoxing wine recommended)
• 1 tsp Salt (for marinade)
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 Egg yolk
• 2 tbsp Corn starch
• Water (a splash if needed)
• Oil (a little for marinade)
• 1 tbsp Sea salt flakes (for seasoning)
• Black pepper (plenty)
• 1 tbsp Chicken stock powder

Steps

1. 1

   Pierce the pork sizzle steaks several times with the tip of a knife to help the marinade penetrate and tenderize the meat.

2. 2

   Place the pork in a bowl and add 1 tbsp cooking wine, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, and 1 egg yolk. Massage the ingredients into the pork until well combined.

3. 3

   Add 2 tbsp corn starch and a splash of water if the mixture feels too dry. Mix until the pork is lightly and evenly coated in a thin batter.

4. 4

   Add a little oil to the pork mixture to prevent the pieces from sticking together.

5. 5

   Heat oil for frying to 180°C (350°F). Carefully add the pork and leave it untouched at first so the coating can set.

6. 6

   Fry the pork for about 3 minutes, then remove from the oil and set aside.

7. 7

   Increase the oil temperature to 200°C (390°F). Return the pork to the oil and fry for an additional 20 seconds until beautifully golden and crispy.

8. 8

   In a separate pan or wok, add a little oil and stir-fry the minced garlic and diced green capsicum until fragrant.

9. 9

   Add the fried pork to the pan. Season with 1 tbsp sea salt flakes, plenty of black pepper, and 1 tbsp chicken stock powder.

10. 10

    Add the sliced onion and spring onion. Toss everything together briefly over high heat and serve immediately.

Notes

Double-frying is the secret to the restaurant-style crispy texture. The first fry cooks the meat, and the second high-heat fry crisps the exterior. Using 'sizzle steaks' (thinly sliced pork) ensures the meat stays tender despite the high heat.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pork
• Chinese
• fried
• takeout-at-home
• dinner
• high-protein