Chinese-style spare ribs with stir-fried cabbage.
Ingredients
For the spare ribs
6 large spare ribs, cut into individual ribs
2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp cornflour
vegetable oil, for deep frying
For the sauce
3 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
3 tbsp plum sauce
2 tbsp hoi sin sauce
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp light soy sauce
75ml/3fl oz cider vinegar
150ml/5fl oz chicken stock
1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder
2 garlic cloves, crushed
5cm/2in fresh root ginger, grated
For the cabbage
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
5cm/2in piece fresh root ginger, finely chopped
1 long red chilli, finely sliced
½ Chinese cabbage, finely shredded
2 tbsp light soy sauce
Method
For the ribs, place all of the ribs ingredients into a bowl and stir to combine. Cover the bowl with cling film and place into the fridge to marinate for four hours.
Heat a deep fat fryer to 190C, or place the oil in a deep heavy-based pan so that it half-fills the pan. Heat until a breadcrumb sizzles and turns brown when dropped into it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
Remove the ribs from the fridge and drain off any excess marinade. Carefully place into the hot oil in batches of 2-3 ribs at a time and cook until nicely browned. Remove the ribs with a slotted spoon and drain on to kitchen paper.
For the sauce, place all of the sauce ingredients into a large shallow pan with a lid and stir to combine. Place the pan over a medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the fried ribs and bring the sauce back to a simmer. Cover and cook for 40-50 minutes until the ribs are tender, turning the ribs several times during the cooking time. Remove the lid for the last five minutes of cooking.
For the cabbage, heat a frying pan until hot, then add the oil, garlic, ginger and chilli and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
Add the cabbage and stir-fry for a further 2-3 minutes, or until the cabbage is just wilted.
Add the soy sauce and stir to combine.
To serve, spoon a little cabbage onto each plate. Place two ribs onto each plate and serve with extra sauce in a serving jug alongside.
Source: BBC FOODS
