Pork Braised with Sugar

[clara]

1/4 cup vegetable or corn oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 carrot, cut into 1-inch strips
4 tablespoons minced garlic
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 bay leaf
2 plantains, cut 1/2-inch thick diagonally and fried in oil
1 pound lean pork, cut into cubes
1/3 cup sugar
8 peppercorns, crushed
2 pieces French bread, cut into 1-inch squares and fried in oil

Directions:

Heat oil and brown garlic. Add pork cubes and fry until brown. Add vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, water, bay leaf and peppercorns. Bring to a boil without stirring. Lower flame and cook until the pork is almost done. Add carrot. Continue cooking until the pork is tender. Before serving, garnish with fried plantains and French bread squares.