Chinese-Style Battered Pork

PREPARING

1. Prepare the Sauce: Mix all ingredients listed under “Sauce.” Pour into a small bowl and set aside.
2. Prepare the Vegetables: Peel the mango and carrot, core the bell pepper. Cut all vegetables into strips, sticks, or other fun shapes – you can even use cookie cutters for creative designs! Finely chop the garlic. Slice the onion into thin wedges. Leave green beans whole or cut them in half.
3. Sear the Pork: Cut the pork tenderloin into roughly 2.5 cm (1-inch) cubes. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over high heat. Add the pork and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the meat is sealed. Remove the pork with a slotted spoon and set aside.
4. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same (or a fresh) pan, heat a little more oil. Add all the chopped vegetables and sauté for a few minutes until they soften but remain crisp. Finally, add some of the prepared sauce and mix well. Save the remaining sauce to serve in a lunchbox – it’s perfect for the pork!
5. Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk the flour, egg, milk, baking powder, and cayenne pepper into a thick batter.
6. Fry the Pork in Batter: Dip the pork pieces into the batter, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Heat deep oil in a pot or wok. Add the battered pork in batches and fry until golden, turning as needed. Once fried, transfer to a paper towel to drain excess oil.
7. Serve: Transfer the pork in batter to a lunchbox. Garnish with fresh chives. Arrange the sautéed vegetables alongside. Add the remaining sauce in a small container – it’s excellent for dipping the crispy pieces!