When visiting the market, most people usually focus on buying pork belly, pork loin, or pork butt. Spare ribs, a popular choice, also attract their attention.
Unfortunately, on the pig’s body, this spare rib meat only accounts for a small portion, about 200g. Despite being essential, this meat is highly valued for its delicious flavor and nutritional value, like a “thousand-year ginseng” of pork.
When buying spare ribs, there are some points to note:
When you buy spare ribs, please follow these points:
Spare ribs are often scarce, so if you want to buy them, go to the market early or even contact the seller in advance to make sure they have them.
When choosing spare ribs, pay attention to the following points:
The surface of the spare ribs should be dry, not wet. If you feel the meat is moist or see signs of water, it may be the result of excessive water pumping or freezing. The color of the meat should be bright, pinkish-red, with no signs of darkening. The meat should not have an antibiotic smell, not be watery, and not lose its elasticity.
Guide to making delicious grilled spare ribs
Spare ribs, with tender tendons and a layer of fat running through them, create a characteristic tenderness, never becoming tough or chewy. For the spare rib meat you buy, you can take advantage of it to create many delicious dishes.
However, boiling or steaming often preserves the natural sweetness of the meat better than other methods. Among them, one of the easiest and most delicious dishes is braised spare ribs. Here’s how to make it:
Here’s how to make this dish and the list of necessary ingredients:
Ingredients:
500g spare ribs
1 bulb of garlic
1 onion
Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Vinegar
Cornstarch
Star anise
Peppercorns
Rice wine
Soy sauce
Instructions:
Start by washing the spare ribs thoroughly and soaking them in diluted saltwater to remove any gamey smell. Then, cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Peel the garlic and onion, then rinse them. Slice the onion into wedges.
Boil water and blanch the ribs for about 3-4 minutes.
After blanching the ribs, remove them and put them in a large pot. Next, add layers of onion, cinnamon, star anise, garlic, and peppercorns to the pot, then pour water into the pot to submerge the meat. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, remove the lid and add ½ teaspoon of vinegar and ½ tablespoon of rice wine to the pot. Continue boiling for about 7-8 minutes. Remove the cinnamon and star anise after they release their aromatic scent. Season with brown sugar and 3 tablespoons of soy sauce to taste. Simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes.
When the meat is tender and the sauce is almost reduced, dissolve ½ tablespoon of cornstarch in water, then pour it into the pot. Simmer until the meat sauce thickens, then turn off the heat.
Tips for delicious spare ribs
Although the cooking formula seems relatively simple, to make the perfect spare ribs, we need to note some important points:
Ensure that the meat is cooked long enough for it to become tender, not dry and tough.
Instead of directly blanching the meat, you can sear the meat in a pan to give it a golden color on both sides before braising or stewing.
During the blanching process, if you add a few slices of fresh ginger and spring onion, it will help remove the gamey smell and bring a more delicious aroma.
You can also substitute rice wine with apple cider or red wine to give the spare ribs a unique and enticing flavor.
Delicious spare ribs can be paired with vegetables like carrots and potatoes to add more variety and mouth-watering flavor.
With the above tips, you will have the opportunity to enjoy even more delicious and enticing spare ribs. This dish has tender spare ribs, rich gravy, suitable for enjoying with rice or bread.
9 Delicious and Nutritious Pork Rib Dishes That Are Easy to Make
Delicious and Nutritious Pork Rib Dishes That Are Easy to Make’>Pork ribs are a versatile ingredient widely used in cooking delicious and nutritious dishes. Check out these 9 easy and simple recipes for tasty pork rib dishes!
