**Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Ribs:**
– 500g young pork ribs
– 4 tablespoons fish sauce
– 6 teaspoons sugar
– 4 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice
– Boiled water, cooled
– Cooking oil, fish sauce, seasoning powder
– Garlic, shallots, scallions, chili, onion
– Chili sauce, ketchup, or tomatoes
– Cornstarch
**Simple Steps to Make Sweet and Sour Ribs:**
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by rinsing the ribs and cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Briefly blanch the ribs in boiling water with a pinch of salt to eliminate any unpleasant odors, then rinse again. Marinate the ribs with 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder for about 15-20 minutes.
Peel and lightly crush the garlic and shallots. Rinse the scallions and cut them into small pieces for garnishing. Peel and slice the onion.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce
In a separate bowl, combine 5 teaspoons of sugar, 4 teaspoons of vinegar, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 chili (finely chopped), half a bowl of boiled water, and fish sauce. Stir well. You can substitute vinegar with lemon juice or tamarind for a slightly different flavor profile. If using lemon juice, add it at the end to avoid bitterness from prolonged cooking.
To thicken the sauce and give it a beautiful, deep red color, add chili sauce, ketchup, or tomatoes.
Step 3: Fry and Sauté the Ribs
After the ribs have absorbed the marinade, coat them lightly with cornstarch. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the ribs until they turn golden brown, then remove them from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
In the same pan, sauté the crushed shallots until fragrant. Add the ribs, followed by the onion and the prepared sweet and sour sauce. Finally, thicken the sauce by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with a small amount of water and pouring it into the pan. Cook until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Step 4: Plate and Serve
Dish out the ribs and garnish with chopped scallions. For an extra touch of color and flavor, add sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. Serve these sweet and sour ribs with steamed white rice for a mouthwatering meal. The combination of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors is sure to tantalize your taste buds. You can also use the sauce as a dip for boiled vegetables on the side.