Sweet and Sour Pork Patties

This is a simple recipe that uses ground pork instead of diced pork. Asian seasoning can be found in most grocery stores' spice section and usually contains garlic salt, anise, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. I prefer to mix my own seasoning because I don't like anise and it allows me to control how hot the spice is (the amount of cayenne pepper). Anise tastes like black licorice, if you like black licorice, you will love the stuff. I have included a recipe mix below so you can make your own Asian blend.

Serves: 4
Start-to-Finish: 30 minutes
Recipe By: Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade

Ingredients:

1 1/4 lb ground pork
2 TBSP soy sauce
2 tsp Asian seasoning
1 tsp minced garlic
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1 (16-oz) can pineapple chicks, drained
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, sliced or 1 (6-oz) bag frozen red pepper strips
1 (11.5-oz) bottle sweet and sour sauce
steamed rice
sliced scallions (optional)

Directions:

1. Slice pepper, chop onion, mince garlic, and slice scallions.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground pork, soy sauce, Asian seasoning, and garlic.
3. Form pork mixture into 2-inch patties (wet your hands to prevent mixture from sticking).
4. In a large skillet heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
5. Add patties to hot oil and cook 3 minutes per side.
6. Meanwhile, start cooking rice.
7. Transfer to pork patties to a plate and keep warm.
8. Add drained pineapple chucks, chopped onion, and sliced pepper to the skillet.
9. Cook for 3 minutes until peppers are just tender.
10. Add sweet and sour sauce, bring to a boil.
11. Return patties to skillet and coat in sauce.
12. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
13. Serve over steamed rice and garnish with sliced scallions.




Asian Seasoning Blend

Serves: approx. 4 teaspoons
Recipe By: Amber Brunson

Ingredients:

2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp anise (I do not add the anise, but most Asian seasonings include it)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne red pepper

Directions:

1. Mix spices together.
2. Store in an airtight container.