Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork

Who doesn't love Chinese? But take out can not only be pricey but fattening. Just about everything on a Chinese menu is fried. Sweet and Sour Pork happens to be one of my family's favorites and since my daughter is wanting a collection of slow cooker meals. This is a perfect fit. You can also make this with chicken breasts or thighs.

4 large boneless pork loin chops, trimmed of fat and cubed
1 large onion
1 large red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple cubed(canned works too)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 & 1/3 cup chicken stock
3 oz tomato paste
1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
juice of 1 lemon
4 tbsp soy sauce(I use low sodium Tamari)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3-4 tbsp corn starch

Spray the insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the pork. Brown on all sides. Add the meat to the insert along with the onion, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, brown sugar, 3/4 cup chicken stock, vinegar, lemon juice, soy sauce, black pepper and chili flakes. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Half hour before serving, add the pineapple, bell pepper and the corn starch mixed into the 1/3 cup chicken stock. Raise the heat to high and cook until the liquid thickens. Serve with rice.