Flavored spare ribs are not just a culinary delight but also have rich nutritional value. Spare ribs are high in protein and calcium, which are beneficial for increasing physical strength and promoting bone health. Additionally, flavored spare ribs are also believed to have the function of nourishing the kidneys, invigorating yang energy, and moisturizing dryness.
Ingredients for Flavored Pork Ribs
| Pork ribs | 500g |
| Green onion | 8g |
| Ginger | 8g |
| Star anise | 5g |
| Cinnamon bark | 7g |
| Fragrant leaves | 8g |
| Amomum tsao-ko | 3g |
| Dried chilli | 10g |
| Cooking wine | 15g |
| Green pricklyash | 8g |
| Bean paste | 10g |
| Dark soy sauce | 3g |
| Salt | 3g |
| Chicken powder | 2g |
| Pepper powder | 3g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Onion | 15g |
| Red pepper | 12g |
| Green pepper | 12g |
| Cumin powder | 5g |
| Chili powder | 5g |
| White sesame seed | 10g |
| Crispy rice | 50g |
Steps:
1.First, prepare the ingredients. Cut 500 grams of pork ribs into evenly sized small pieces. Cut one stalk of spring onion into sections and slice a piece of ginger. Place them in a bowl. Add star anise, two cinnamon sticks, a few bay leaves, a crushed cardamom pod, and a small handful of dried chili peppers.
2.Blanch the pork ribs in boiling water. In a pot of cold water, add the pork ribs and 5 grams of cooking wine to remove any unwanted odor. Stir the ribs frequently to ensure even heating. As the water boils, skim off any impurities. Blanch the ribs for about 2 minutes until they turn white. Then drain and rinse them with clean water. Set aside.
3.Heat oil in a pan. Once hot, add a small handful of Sichuan peppercorns, followed by the prepared spices. Cook them over low heat until fragrant. Add 10 grams of doubanjiang (broad bean paste) and stir-fry until it becomes aromatic and releases red oil. Add the drained pork ribs and stir-fry to coat them evenly. Pour in 10 grams of cooking wine along the edges of the pan to remove any remaining odors. Add 3 grams of dark soy sauce for color and quickly stir-fry the ribs. Then add an appropriate amount of water and bring it to a boil. Start seasoning by adding 2 grams of salt, 2 grams of chicken powder, 1 gram of white pepper, and a little sugar. Cover the pan and simmer for 20 minutes.
4.Chop an onion into small pieces. Cut a red bell pepper into cubes, and half a green bell pepper into cubes after removing the seeds. Prepare 50 grams of crispy rice crusts (guoba) and a few stalks of spring onion, cut into sections.
5.After simmering for 20 minutes, the pork ribs should be tender and flavorful. Remove them from the pan and place them neatly on a serving plate. The ribs will have a tempting red color, with a smooth and plump surface that glistens appetizingly.
6.Heat oil in the same pan until it reaches 50% heat. Add the pork ribs back into the pan and fry for 20 seconds. Remove them from the pan and drain off excess oil. This step aims to make the ribs crispy.
7.Leave some oil in the pan and heat it up. Add the chopped ingredients and stir-fry until they are cooked but still firm. Add the fried pork ribs and stir-fry evenly. Season with 1 gram of salt, a little sugar, 2 grams of white pepper, 5 grams of cumin powder, 5 grams of chili flakes, and 10 grams of white sesame seeds. Finally, add the spring onion sections and crispy rice crusts, mix well, and transfer to a serving dish.
Tips
1.Choose fresh and meaty spare ribs, preferably with a moderate amount of fat, to ensure a tender and juicy texture.
2.Depending on personal taste preferences, you can choose sweet and spicy flavors, numbing and spicy flavors, or other special seasonings to complement the dish. Pay attention to the amount of seasoning used to ensure a balanced flavor.
3.To ensure that the ribs are cooked thoroughly and achieve the desired texture, blanch them in cold water first to remove any blood or impurities. Then proceed with the simmering or grilling process. Avoid cooking for too long, as it may make the ribs overly tough.
When enjoying the flavored pork ribs, they can be served alongside rice or noodles to make the dish more flavorful. Whether it’s a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this delicious dish of flavored pork ribs will surely become the highlight on the table, providing everyone with a satisfying and joyful culinary experience.