Pork Loin in Plum Sauce

Plum paste may be mixed with cold water to make a cooling drink for hot days.  Another way to use plum paste is by adding some chilli sauce to it.  This will produce a delicious alternative to plum sauce.  So when a recipe calls for plum sauce, the Swallow does not need to go shopping for it...

PORK LOIN IN PLUM SAUCE (serves 4)

Pork Loin in Plum Sauce

Ingredients

• 300g pork boneless loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tsp oil
• 2 tbsp plum paste
• 1 to 2 tsp chilli sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 stalk spring onions, chopped
• marinade - 2 tsp cornstarch, 2 tsp light soya sauce, 2 tsp hua tiow jiu, 2 tsp brown sugar, a few drops sesame oil, 1 clove garlic (minced)

Method

1. Combine marinade ingredients with pork cubes.  Marinate for at least half an hour.
2. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat.  Add pork, reserving the marinade (very little), and stir-fry until browned.
3. Mix plum paste, chilli sauce, and water together with the reserved marinade.  Pour into the wok and mix well.
4. Add spring onions to the mixture.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  The sauce would have thickened by then.
6. Serve hot with rice.

Notes

• If plum sauce is preferred, use 2 1/2 tbsp and omit chilli sauce.
• Adjust amount of water to suit individual needs.