Sichuan Pork Stir-Fry

This is a deliciously spiced pork dish. Tender pork is stir-fried with stem lettuce in a fiery chile sauce. Enjoy with freshly cooked white rice.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 347 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon white sugar
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 tablespoons chicken stock
• 1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 3 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon Chinese black vinegar
• 6 leaves stem lettuce (celtuce), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• ½ pound lean pork, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon rice wine (sake)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickled red chile peppers
• 2 teaspoons chili bean sauce ((toban djan), such as Lee Kum Kee®)
• 3 spring onions, diced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine stem lettuce and pinch of salt in another bowl.

Step 2

Combine water and cornstarch in a small bowl; stir into a smooth paste.

Step 3

Transfer half of the cornstarch paste into a larger bowl. Add pork, rice wine, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and let marinate, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Whisk remaining cornstarch paste, chicken stock, soy sauce, black vinegar, and sugar in another bowl to make sauce.

Step 5

Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add pork with marinade; cook and stir until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in pickled chile peppers and chili bean sauce; cook until oil turns red, about 1 minute. Add spring onions, garlic, and ginger; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in lettuce; saute until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in sauce and toss until thickened, about 3 minutes.