HONEYED CHILI GARLIC PORK

A sweet, garlicky, and spicy glaze over beautifully seasoned crispy pork pieces, this dish is a winner.  

It can be ready to serve in 30 minutes but tastes like it took hours to prepare.  Start your rice and pop broccoli in the oven to roast before starting the pork.  Five minutes to cut the pork, five minutes to make the marinade coating and the glaze, 10-15 minutes to cook the pork, 5 minutes to assemble your meal and dinner is served!  You can even prepare the pork and glaze portions the night before for an even quicker dinner prep.  This is also a fantastic meal to assemble ahead for school or work lunches as it reheats beautifully.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1lb pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes

Marinade

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sesame oil 

• 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 1/2 tbsp flour

• 3 tbsp cold water 

For Frying

• 1 tbsp olive oil  

• 1 tbsp butter

Glaze:

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 cup honey

• 3 tbsp chicken stock

• 2 tbsp water

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 1-2 tsp sriracha

• 1 tsp red chili flakes

Garnish with

• 1 tsp chopped parsley

• Sesame seeds

• Or scallions

Serve with

• Cooked rice

• Steamed or roasted broccoli

DIRECTIONS

1. Place pork cubes in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, thoroughly mix the marinade coating until it forms a loose paste. Add it to the pork chunks and massage it evenly onto the pork cubes.

2. Heat oil and butter in a large frying pan or skillet (I’m obsessed with my hexclad pans! Non stick with none of the terrible coatings that are unhealthy and they are scratch resistant!) over medium-high heat. Cook coated pork cubes on all sides until golden brown (5-7 minutes). Work in batches to prevent overcrowding, ensuring a crisp sear rather than steaming.  Add more oil between batches if needed.

3. After cooking the pork cubes, remove them from the pan.  Discard all but one tsp of remaining oil from the pan. Add the glaze ingredients to the pan, and bring it to a low boil. Reduce the heat, and then add the cooked pork, stirring to coat.  

4. Let it simmer on low for 2-3 minutes to enhance flavors and achieve a slightly reduced, sticky coating.

5. Garnish the honeyed garlic chili pork bites with fresh chopped parsley, scallions, and/or red chili pepper flakes. Serve over rice and roasted or steamed broccoli.

Tips:

• Ensure the pan is hot before searing the diced pork for a golden sear.

• Use a large pan to prevent overcrowding, allowing the pork to fry rather than steam in its juices.