Pork or Chicken Chop Suey

This comes from Mama Sue

1/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups diced pork loin or Chicken breasts
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
½ cup diced red pepper
½ cup diced carrots
1 cup hot water
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 diced garlic clove or ½ tsp or minced garlic from the jar
1 (14.5 ounce) can bean sprouts, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup cold water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
1.     Heat shortening in a large, deep skillet. Sear pork or chicken until it turns white and cooked through, then add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add celery, peppers, carrots, hot water, salt and pepper. Cover skillet and simmer for 5 minutes. Add sprouts and heat to boiling. (you can also add broccoli which gives it more color)
2.     In a small bowl combine the cold water, cornstarch, soy sauce and sugar. Mix together and add to skillet mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened to taste.
3.     Serve with cooked brown or white rice. 
Enjoy!