Sweet-and-Sour Braised Pork

Perfect for a buffet or a large dinner or for when you want to cook for one night and eat for a few following, this is my take on the various pork stews served throughout Southeast Asia. It should be quite sweet and quite strong. (One of the traditional ingredients is salted bean curd, a cheeselike concoction that is—like nam pla—a bit of an acquired taste. I’d include it here, but it’s quite difficult to find.