Potato Braised Pork Ribs

Potato Braised Pork Ribs is a classic Chinese home-style dish with rich flavors, tender ribs, and soft, flavorful potatoes. Not only is it delicious, but it's also nutritious, making it perfect for family gatherings. This heartwarming dish, with its aromatic and savory taste, is sure to impress your friends.

Here are some tips to ensure you can easily find the ingredients and make this dish successfully:

1.Ingredient Selection:

Pork Ribs: You can find pork ribs at supermarkets or butcher shops, usually labeled as "spare ribs" or "baby back ribs." Choose ribs with thicker meat and some fat for the best texture and flavor.

Potatoes: Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal for this dish because they become tender and flavorful when braised.

Seasonings: Light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, and rock sugar can be found in the Asian food section of large supermarkets or at Asian grocery stores. If you can't find rock sugar, granulated sugar can be used as a substitute.

2.Preparation:

Pork Ribs: If the pork ribs are large, you can ask the butcher to cut them into approximately 2-inch pieces, or you can carefully cut them at home with a heavy-duty kitchen knife.

Seasoning Mix: Ensure you have all the necessary seasonings. Adjust the ratio of light soy sauce to dark soy sauce according to your taste. Cooking wine can be replaced with common rice wine or Shaoxing wine.

3.Cooking Equipment:

Wok or Dutch Oven: Use a deep wok or a Dutch oven as they provide even heating and are suitable for long simmering.

Pressure Cooker: If you're short on time, a pressure cooker can speed up the process. Pressure cook the ribs for about 20 minutes, then add the potatoes and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

4.Cooking Tips:

Blanching the Ribs: This crucial step removes impurities and excess fat, resulting in a cleaner taste.

Heat Control: After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Slow cooking allows the ribs and potatoes to absorb the flavors fully, resulting in better taste and texture.

Sauce Reduction: Adjust the consistency of the sauce according to your preference. Avoid drying it out completely; a slightly thickened sauce works best.

5.Flavor Adjustments:

Sugar: Rock sugar provides a mild sweetness. If using granulated sugar, be careful not to add too much to avoid an overly sweet dish.

Salt: Adjust the saltiness to your taste. If the soy sauce is very salty, use it sparingly.

Spices: The amount of star anise and cinnamon sticks can be adjusted based on your preference. For a milder flavor, start with less and add more if needed.

By selecting the right ingredients and mastering the cooking techniques, you can create an authentic and delicious Chinese home-style dish. Feel free to adjust the seasoning ratios and cooking methods based on ingredient availability and personal taste preferences.