Note: Have all the ingredients for Pork and Cucumber Stir Fry cut up/ready to use before beginning to cook. This recipe takes only a few minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless pork
• 3 tbs soy sauce, divided
• 2 tbs vegetable oil plus additional if needed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger root
• 1 large cucumber, peeled and deseeded
• 2 c fresh beansprouts
• 1 tbs cornstarch mixed into 3 tbs cold water
• hot chile sauce to taste
• dark sesame oil

Method

1. Cut the pork into thin strips and mix with 2 tbs of the soy sauce. Put aside while assembling the rest of the ingredients. Slice the cucumber into bite-size strips. Wash and pick over the beansprouts. Drain well.
2. Heat a wok or heavy frying pan until very hot and add the oil. Quickly stir-fry the garlic and ginger root for a few seconds, without browning.  Remove the seasonings from the pan, leaving the oil, and add part of the sliced pork. Stir-fry until browned. Remove from the pan to a plate and add the rest of the pork to brown.  Use a little more oil if needed. Continue until all the pork has been browned. The pork will be cooked at this point.
3. In the same pan, stir-fry the cucumber and the drained beansprouts until barely wilted. Add back the cooked pork, garlic and ginger and any juices. Continue frying for a minute more. Mix in the cornstarch mixed with water and bring to a boil to thicken. Adjust seasoning with soy sauce and chile sauce. Sprinkle a few drops of sesame oil on top before serving.
4. Serve with freshly-cooked rice or thin noodles.

Enjoy this Pork and Cucumber Stir Fry!