Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs

Method7 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Cut the ribs into 1–1.5 inch sections. Put in a wok with cold water to cover, ginger, the 4 green onions and the unmeasured blanching Shaoxing wine. Bring to a boil and blanch 2–3 minutes. Drain, rinse briefly under warm water and pat completely dry to reduce splashing when frying.

   Blanch ribs 2–3 minutes after boiling · 3 minUses 1 pound spare ribs (cut into 1 to 1.5 inch sections) · cold water to cover · 4 green onion · 3 ginger slices · Additional Shaoxing wine for parboiling (quantity unspecified)

2. 2

   Step 2: Melt the sugar – Add cooking oil (2 tbsp.) and smashed rock sugar (35 g) in a wok, and heat over a slow fire. Keep stirring until the sugar melts and turns into dark red.

   Uses 2 tbsp. cooking oil · 35 g rock sugar

3. 3

   Step 3: Add ribs to coat the sugar color, fry until the ribs are well colored.

   Uses Parboiled thoroughly dried rib sections · Melted red caramel coloring

4. 4

   Step 4: Add enough hot water to cover the colored ribs, then add light soy sauce (2 tbsp.), the measured 2 tablespoons braising Shaoxing wine,3 tablespoons black vinegar and optional star anise (1).

   Uses Ribs coated in caramel coloring · hot water as needed · 2 tbsp. light soy sauce · 2 tbsp. shaoxing cooking wine · 3 tbsp. black vinegar · 1 star anise (optional)

5. 5

   Step 5: Cover and simmer gently 25 minutes, stirring once or twice. Uncover, raise the heat to medium and reduce the sauce until it clings to the ribs, stirring to prevent the sugar scorching. Continue simmering if the ribs need more time to become tender.

   Covered rib simmer 25 minutes · 25 minUses Ribs in sweet-sour braising sauce

6. 6

   Step 6: Add extra 1 tablespoon of black vinegar before transfer out. Watch out carefully at this stage, don’t get the ribs burnt.

   Uses Tender ribs with reduced sweet-sour glaze · 1 tbsp. extra black vinegar

7. 7

   Step 7: Garnish with the toasted white sesame seeds (1/2 tbsp.) and chopped spring onion before serving.

   Uses Finished sweet-sour spare ribs · 1/2 tbsp. white sesame seed for garnishing · Spring onion for garnishing