Pork with plums (China)

Pork with plums, or "Li zi rou," is a classic Chinese dish. It's a beautiful example of the balance between sweet and savory, typical of Chinese cuisine. Plums are often used to add a touch of freshness and contrast to fattier meats like pork. In Chinese cooking, the use of fruit in savory dishes is highly valued for creating a harmonious flavor experience, and this recipe is a perfect example.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time 35 minutes

Total time 55 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 5

Ingredients

500g of pork ( loin or tenderloin)
6 to 68 fresh plums or 200g of dried plums
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 chopped onion
2 cloves of chopped garlic
1 piece of fresh ginger (approximately 2 cm)
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey or sugar
125 ml of water or chicken stock
1 tsp cornstarch (optional, to thicken)
Sesame seeds and chopped chives for garnish

Preparation

1
Preparing the plums: If using fresh plums, cut them in half and remove the pits. If using dried plums, you can leave them whole or cut them into pieces.
2
Sear the pork: Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork pieces and brown them on each side for about 4 to 5 minutes. Once browned, remove the pork from the pan and set aside.
3
Sauté the onion and herbs: In the same pan, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Then add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
4
Cooking the plums: Add the plums to the pan with the onions and let them cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften. This will allow their juices to mix with the other ingredients.
5
Add the liquids: Return the pork to the pan, then add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and water (or broth). Mix well to combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the pork is tender and the plums have softened into the sauce.
6
Thicken the sauce (optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a little cold water and add it to the dish. Simmer for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.
7
Garnish and serving: Sprinkle the pork with prunes with sesame seeds and chopped chives. Serve hot, accompanied by white rice.