Caramelized Pork and Cucumber Stir-Fry

Crisp-tender cucumbers and deeply browned pork crumbles add delightful texture to this quick and savory weeknight stir-fry.

Original recipe source

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 large cucumber peeled in alternating lengthwise strips, halved lengthwise, seeds removed, sliced crosswise on a diagonal 1/2" thick
• 1 tsp kosher salt Diamond Crystal or 1/2 tsp Morton
• 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp Shaoxing wine or medium-dry sherry
• 1 lb ground pork
• 0 kosher salt
• 0 cucumber slices
• 1 Tbsp oil grapeseed or vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp oil grapeseed or vegetable oil
• 0 pork patties
• 1 whole Fresno chile seeds removed, thinly sliced
• 1 inch piece ginger peeled, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic cloves finely grated
• 0.5 tsp white pepper freshly ground
• 0 cucumber slices
• 0 reserved sauce
• 0 steamed white rice

Instructions

1. Toss cucumber slices and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1/2 tsp. Morton kosher salt in a medium bowl to coat evenly. Let sit until cucumber slices start to release their liquid, about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, stir together oyster sauce, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine in a small bowl to combine; set aside.
3. Using your hands, form the ground pork into five or six small patties. Season lightly with salt; set aside.
4. Drain cucumber slices in a colander and rinse well under cool running water. Drain, shaking off any excess water, then pat dry with a kitchen towel.
5. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook cucumber slices, tossing vigorously, until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.
6. Wipe out skillet and heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil over medium-high. Add reserved pork patties; gently flatten with a spatula. Cook, pressing occasionally to help meat make contact with pan, until deeply browned and crisp underneath, about 4 minutes. Flip patties; cook until other side is deeply browned and crisp, about 4 minutes.
7. Break up pork into large pieces; continue to cook until no longer pink, about 1 minute. Add chile, ginger, garlic, and white pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
8. Add cucumber back to skillet along with reserved sauce. Cook, tossing often, until sauce is reduced and evenly coats pork and cucumber slices, about 1 minute. Serve stir-fry with rice.