Pork ribs stir-fried in a sweet and sour sauce is a familiar and appetizing dish with a harmonious sweet and sour taste, tender ribs, and a glossy sauce. To cook five-star chef-worthy sweet and sour ribs, you need to know the tips for choosing ingredients, preparation, and cooking. Here is a detailed guide:
Secrets to Cooking Tender and Juicy Sweet and Sour Ribs
Ingredients for 4 people
Pork ribs: 500g
Tomatoes: 2
Onion: 1
Bell peppers (green and red): 1/2 each
Shallots: 3
Garlic: 3 cloves
Marinade:
Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
Sugar: 2 tablespoons
Rice vinegar or lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
Water: 4 tablespoons
Ribs seasoning:
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
Vegetable oil: 1 tablespoon
Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon
Vegetable oil for frying
Steps to Cook Juicy and Tender Sweet and Sour Ribs
Step 1: Prepare the ribs
First, rinse the ribs with cold water and let them drain. Then, rinse the ribs under cold running water and gently rub with salt to remove any unpleasant odors. Next, blanch the ribs in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes, then remove and rinse again to get rid of any foam or impurities.
Cut the ribs into bite-sized pieces, about 4-5cm each. It’s best to use a sharp knife for this task.
Marinate the ribs: To make your dish tender and flavorful, mix the ribs with salt, pepper, fish sauce, and vegetable oil. Let the ribs absorb the flavors for 20-30 minutes. Tip: The oil helps keep the ribs moist and prevents them from drying out during frying.
Step 2: Prepare the vegetables
Tomatoes: Wash and remove the seeds, then cut into wedges.
Onion and bell peppers: Cut into 2cm squares.
Shallots and garlic: Finely chop and sauté to add aroma.
Step 3: Fry the ribs
Coat the ribs with a thin layer of cornstarch. This will give them a slight crispness while keeping the inside tender.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium heat and fry the ribs until lightly golden on both sides (about 3-4 minutes). Be careful not to overcook the ribs as they may become tough. Remove the ribs from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
Step 4: Make the sweet and sour sauce
In a small bowl, combine fish sauce, sugar, rice vinegar or lemon juice, tomato paste, and water. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and you have a smooth sauce.
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweet and sour balance to your preference. If you like a richer flavor, add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce.
Step 5: Stir-fry the ribs with the sauce
Sauté the shallots and garlic in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until fragrant. Quickly stir-fry the tomatoes, onion, and bell peppers over high heat for about 1 minute to retain their crunch.
Add the fried ribs to the pan and pour in the sweet and sour sauce. Toss to coat the ribs evenly in the sauce, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
Simmer over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, to ensure the ribs are well-coated in the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water. For a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the pan. Finally, sprinkle with ground pepper and chopped scallions (optional) to enhance the flavor.
Step 6: Serve
Once your sweet and sour ribs are ready, plate them and enjoy this delicious dish with your family.
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