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  • 650g pork spare ribs
    cut into 3-4cm lengths (you can also use baby back ribs), washed, rinsed and patted dry
  • a pinch of ground white pepper
  • 4 large garlic cloves
    finely minced
  • 2 tbsp yellow bean paste
    or red miso paste
  • 1 tbsp shaoxing rice wine
    or dry sherry
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • groundnut oil
    for deep-frying
  • micro chives
    or chives to serve

For the sweet and sour sauce

Nutrition: Per serving

  • kcal501
  • fat32g
  • saturates10g
  • carbs20g
  • sugars17g
  • fibre1g
  • protein33g
  • salt3.6g

Method

  • step 1

    Put the ribs in a large bowl, season with sea salt and the ground white pepper. Add the garlic, yellow bean paste, shaoxing rice wine and dark soy sauce to create a paste. Mix together well to combine, using your hands to work the marinade into the pork. Put it in the fridge, covered, for 20 mins to let the ribs marinate.

  • step 2

    Heat a wok or heavy-based saucepan over high heat and fill just less than half-full with the groundnut oil. Heat to 180C or until a cube of bread dropped in turns golden brown in 30 secs. Drain the ribs of the marinade. Using a spider or slotted spoon, carefully lower the ribs and shallow fry for 7-8 mins or until browned. Gently turn them to ensure even cooking. Once cooked, remove them and drain on kitchen paper. Do this in batches until all the ribs are cooked.

  • step 3

    In a small jug, combine all the ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce, mixing well with a fork or whisk and set aside.

  • step 4

    Put the wok or a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the ribs and pour in the sauce, cooking on medium heat for 5-6 mins or until the sauce has reduced to a sticky consistency. Garnish with the micro chives and serve immediately, accompanied with some stir-fried greens and jasmine rice, if you like.

Recipe tip

You can also shallow-fry in a wok instead of deep-frying – it will take a bit longer but will use less oil.

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