Pork Hoisin

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year! I’m cooking a modest and economical Pork Hoisin this evening, just for the two of us. This recipe doubles or triples very easily. For more Chinese food ideas, see the Index under Chinese. 

This recipe requires extra time 

for marination

Pork Hoisin:

½ lb. pork tenderloin

1 tbsp. dark soy sauce
2 tbsp. dry sherry, divided
2 tsp. cornstarch or tapioca starch
1 tbsp. cold water
8 small green onions (“spring” onions)
3 tbsp. oil, divided
3 tbsp. hoisin sauce
¼ tsp. cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp. cold water 

Remove thin sheath of fat from tenderloin. Slice pork across the grain into ¼-in. rounds; cut each round in half or into thin strips. Prepare meat marinade: Combine the soy sauce, 1 tbsp. sherry, and the cornstarch and cold water. Mix thoroughly and stir into pork. This will not seem like enough marinade; it is. 

Slice green onions lengthwise into thin strips (see Note). Cut on the diagonal into 1-½-in. lengths. Prepare stir-fry sauce for meat: Combine 1 tbsp. oil, hoisin sauce, cornstarch-water mixture, and remaining sherry. Set aside. 

Heat wok or heavy skillet over high heat. Add 2 tbsp. oil. Stir-fry pork 2-to-3 min. until cooked through. Add hoisin sauce mixture, stirring until sauce starts to thicken and bubble. Just before serving, stir in green onions. Serves 2.

Note: A bean slicer does a very speedy job of slivering the green onions. This is a worthwhile tool to add to your pantry. You may need to buy it online, because I rarely see bean slicers in kitchen stores. Mine is ancient. I treasure it! 

- With thanks to The Vancouver Sun

Carefully trim sheath of fat from tenderloin.

Slice meat into 1/4-in. (1.25 cm) rounds.

Cut each round in half.

Prepare marinade: Oil, hoisin, sherry, cornstarch.

Marinate pork.

Prepare sauce: Soy sauce, sherry, cornstarch, water.

The fastest way to sliver green onions ... a bean slicer!

Slice slivered onions into diagonal lengths.

Sauté strips of pork.

Continue stir-frying until fully cooked, 2-to-3 min.

Add stir-fry sauce, cooking until heated through.

Add slivered onions just at the end.

Pork Hoisin: Every morsel delicious!

It’s traditional to give guests and family “lucky envelopes”
containing money. These “gold coins” are chocolate-filled.
As you celebrate Chinese New Year, celebrate life!