Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges

Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges Recipe - USA

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 45 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender pork, fresh spinach, and sweet mandarin oranges. This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love.

History

This recipe is a modern twist on traditional Chinese stir-fry dishes. The combination of pork, spinach, and mandarin oranges creates a unique and tasty flavor profile that is sure to impress your taste buds.

Ingredients

1.5 lb (680 g) boneless pork steak
3 tbsp soy sauce, divided
3 tbsp cornstarch, divided
vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced and separated into rings
1.5 cup diagonally sliced celery
1 clove garlic, minced
0.5 tsp ground ginger
1 x 11 oz (312 g) can mandarin orange segments
1 x 10 oz (283 g) package fresh spinach (about 2 qt (1.89 liter))
3 cup hot cooked rice

How to prepare

Cut the pork into 1-inch squares.
Place the pork in a small bowl.
Add 2 tbsp of soy sauce and 2 tbsp of cornstarch to the bowl.
Mix the ingredients well and let it stand for 30 minutes.
Heat 0.75 cup of oil in a wok to a temperature of 350°F (177°C).
Add one-fourth of the pork pieces to the wok and cook, stirring to separate the pieces, for about 4 minutes or until they turn brown.
Remove the pork from the wok and place it on absorbent paper.
Repeat the previous step until all the pork is cooked.
Drain the oil from the wok.
Wipe the wok with a paper towel.
Add 1 tbsp of oil to the wok.
Add the onion, celery, and garlic to the wok and stir-fry until they are tender-crisp, which should take around 2 to 3 minutes.
Combine the ginger, remaining 1 tbsp of cornstarch, 1 tbsp of soy sauce, and the syrup from the mandarin oranges.
Stir the mixture into the meat mixture.
Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it becomes clear and thickened, which should take about 2 minutes.
Stir in the spinach, cover, and steam for 1 minute.
Gently stir in the mandarin orange segments.
Serve the dish immediately over beds of fluffy rice.

Variations

Substitute chicken or tofu for the pork for a different flavor.
Add bell peppers, snow peas, or water chestnuts for extra crunch and color.
Use pineapple chunks instead of mandarin oranges for a tropical twist.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to cut the pork into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

- Be sure to cook the pork in batches to avoid overcrowding the wok, which can lead to steaming instead of browning.

- Stir-fry the vegetables quickly over high heat to retain their crisp texture.

- Steam the spinach just until wilted to preserve its vibrant green color and nutrients.

- Serve the dish immediately to enjoy the flavors at their peak.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs well with steamed white rice or noodles. You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Stir-frying is the primary cooking technique used in this recipe. Be sure to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, as stir-frying is a quick process.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach that has been thawed and drained. You can also use canned mandarin oranges in place of fresh ones.

Make Ahead Tips

You can marinate the pork ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. You can also chop the vegetables in advance to save time.

Presentation Ideas

Serve this dish in a large serving bowl or on individual plates, garnished with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for a pop of color and flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

This dish pairs well with a light and crisp white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. You can also serve it with a cold beer or a refreshing iced tea.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave the dish until heated through, or reheat in a skillet on the stovetop.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges contains approximately 400 calories.

Carbohydrates

This dish is relatively low in carbohydrates, with most of the carbs coming from the rice. Each serving contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

The fats in this dish primarily come from the vegetable oil used for cooking. Each serving contains around 15 grams of fat.

Proteins

Pork is a rich source of protein, and each serving of this dish provides about 25 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Spinach is a nutrient-dense vegetable that is high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. Mandarin oranges are a good source of vitamin C and fiber.

Alergens

This recipe contains soy and cornstarch, which may be allergens for some individuals. Be sure to check for any allergies before preparing this dish.

Summary

Overall, this dish is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. With a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, as well as essential vitamins and minerals, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the joy I felt when I first discovered this recipe for Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in the countryside. I had always loved to cook, and I was constantly on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to try.

One day, I was visiting a distant relative who lived on a farm not too far from our own. She was known throughout the village for her delicious and innovative cooking, and I was eager to learn from her. As we sat down to lunch that day, she served us a dish that I had never seen before – tender pieces of pork cooked with spinach and juicy mandarin oranges. The combination of flavors and textures was unlike anything I had ever tasted before, and I knew that I had to learn how to make it myself.

I begged my relative to share her recipe with me, and she was more than happy to oblige. She explained that the key to the dish was in the way the pork was cooked – slowly simmered in a fragrant broth until it was tender and full of flavor. The addition of the spinach and mandarin oranges added a fresh and zesty element to the dish that I found absolutely delightful.

I watched closely as my relative prepared the dish, taking note of every step and ingredient. She showed me how to season the pork with a blend of spices and herbs, and how to sauté it until it was golden brown and caramelized. She then added the spinach and mandarin oranges, along with a splash of broth, and let the whole thing simmer until the flavors had melded together perfectly.

As I took my first bite of the finished dish, I knew that I had found a new favorite recipe. The pork was tender and flavorful, the spinach was bright and fresh, and the mandarin oranges added a sweet and tangy note that tied everything together beautifully. I thanked my relative profusely for sharing her recipe with me, and promised to make it for my family as soon as I returned home.

From that day on, Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges became a regular fixture on our dinner table. My family loved it just as much as I did, and it quickly became one of our go-to meals for special occasions and family gatherings. Over the years, I have made some small tweaks to the recipe, adding my own personal touch here and there, but the basic elements have remained the same.

I have shared the recipe with friends and neighbors, and it has always been met with rave reviews. I love the way that food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories, and I am grateful to have discovered such a wonderful recipe that has become a part of my family's culinary tradition.

As I sit here now, reflecting on that fateful day when I first learned to make Pork with Spinach and Mandarin Oranges, I am filled with gratitude for the people who have shared their knowledge and passion for cooking with me over the years. I am proud to carry on the tradition of delicious and inventive cooking that has been passed down through generations, and I look forward to sharing this recipe with many more people in the years to come.