Ham And Peppers Stir Fry With Sweet And Sour Sauce

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 cups diced cooked ham
• 2 tablespoons butter (divided in thirds)
• 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks (don't drain) or 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbits (don't drain)
• 1 medium onion, peeled cut in half and quartered
• 1 medium bell pepper, cored seeded, and cut in 1/2 inch strips (your favorite color)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar (or 1/3 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 tsp. molasses)
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Recipe

• 1 prepare the sauce by first stirring cornstarch with about 2 or 3 tbs.of the chicken broth in a small bowl.
• 2 when the cornstarch is dissolved and smooth, stir in the remaining sauce ingredients and set aside.
• 3 brown ham in 1/3 of butter over moderately high heat in a skillet or wok until it begins to brown.
• 4 remove and set the ham aside.
• 5 melt another 1/3 of the butter in the skillet or wok and sauté the onions.
• 6 when they start to soften and turn translucent, add the peppers and the final 1/3 of the butter.
• 7 when the onions have somewhat browned, add the ham and the pineapple, juice and all.
• 8 stir the sauce until smooth again (since the cornstarch tends to settle) and pour into skillet or wok.
• 9 increase heat and stir until the sauce begins to bubble.
• 10 reduce heat and stir for a minute or two until the cornstarch is fully cooked; if too thick, thin with a little water or broth.
• 11 serve over steamed rice as soon as possible. i like to sprinkle some dried hot red pepper flakes over it; i love hot food and this gives the dish some zing!