Sweet and Sour Ribs

Name: Sweet and Sour Ribs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2-3 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound pork ribs, cut into chunks; 1 green pepper, cut into diamond-shaped pieces; 1 red pepper, cut into diamond-shaped pieces; 2 oz onion chunks; 2 oz pineapple chunks; 1 egg yolk; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Oil for frying (about 2 cups); 1/4 cup sugar; 1/4 cup white vinegar; 2 tablespoons ketchup; Water starch (as needed)

Sweet and sour ribs are a classic Chinese dish featuring deep-fried pork ribs cooked to a golden crisp and coated in a tangy sweet sauce. It combines the unique flavors of white vinegar, sugar, and tomato sauce, offering a crunchy exterior and tender inside. Perfect for family gatherings or casual get-togethers with friends, it's not only delicious but also exotic, making it an excellent choice for exploring Chinese cuisine.

9 Reviews

9 Comments

POSTED:05/07/2024

Level:Medium

Yield:2-3 servings

Total:45 min

(includes chilling time)

Active:20 min

Sweet and sour ribs are known for their delicious taste and appealing appearance. Here are some tips for making them:

1.Choosing Ingredients:

Opt for pork ribs with a balanced ratio of lean meat to fat, ensuring a juicy and tender texture. Avoid cuts that are too fatty or lean.

2.Preparation:

Before cooking, blanch the ribs to remove blood and impurities. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry. This step ensures cleaner ribs and enhances frying results.

3.Frying Technique:

Maintain medium heat when frying to achieve a golden brown crust without burning the exterior or leaving the interior undercooked. Ideal oil temperature ranges between 352°F - 356°F. Turn the ribs occasionally for even frying.

4.Preparing the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

The key to the sauce lies in achieving a balanced sweet and tangy flavor. Adjust the ratio of vinegar, sugar, and tomato sauce according to personal preference (typically 2 parts vinegar, 2 parts sugar, and 1 part tomato sauce). Add a bit of soy sauce and cornstarch slurry for a richer texture.

5.Cooking Time:

After frying, blot excess oil with paper towels. Heat the prepared sweet and sour sauce until thickened, then stir-fry the ribs in the sauce until evenly coated. Ensure the ribs are tender yet firm, and the sauce is flavorful without being too thick or thin.

6.Presentation:

Serve sweet and sour ribs directly plated, optionally garnished with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for visual appeal. They can also be accompanied by a side salad or vegetables for added variety.

Making sweet and sour ribs isn't overly complex, but mastering these tips will help you create a dish that's flavorful and visually appealing, perfectly suited to your family tastes.

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

1 pound pork ribs, cut into chunks

ACCESSORIES

1 green pepper, cut into diamond-shaped pieces
1 red pepper, cut into diamond-shaped pieces
2 oz onion chunks
2 oz pineapple chunks
1 egg yolk

SEASONINGS

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
Oil for frying (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons ketchup
Water starch (as needed)

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the Ingredients:

Cut green and red bell peppers into diamond-shaped pieces. Cut 2 oz of onion into chunks, and 2 oz of pineapple into cubes. Cut 1 pound of spare ribs into chunks and place in a bowl.

Prepare ingredients: Cut bell peppers, onion, pineapple into pieces. Cut spare ribs into chunks.

STEP 2

Marinate the Ribs:

Add half a teaspoon of salt to the ribs and mix well, marinate for 5 minutes. Then add 1 egg yolk and mix thoroughly, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and mix well.

Marinate ribs with salt, egg yolk, and cornstarch.

STEP 3

Fry the Ribs:

Heat oil in a pan until it reaches about 70% heat. Fry the spare ribs until crispy on the outside and cooked through inside. Remove and drain excess oil. Remember to skim off any foam.

Fry spare ribs until crispy and cooked through. Drain excess oil and skim off foam.

STEP 4

Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

Next, add the green peppers, red peppers, and onions into the hot oil. Fry for 5 seconds, then remove them from the oil.

Instructions on stir-frying vegetables quickly for added flavor.

STEP 5

Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

Leave some oil in the pan. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoon of tomato sauce, and 1/4 cup of white sugar. Stir-fry until melted.

Recipe to make Sweet and Sour Sauce: Combine vinegar, tomato sauce, and sugar in pan with oil, stir-fry until melted.

STEP 6

Thicken the sauce:

Add the pineapple and stir-fry briefly. Gradually pour in the pre-mixed water and starch mixture in three parts, stirring continuously until the sweet and sour sauce thickens.

Thicken sweet and sour sauce with pineapple in 3 stages for ideal consistency.

STEP 7

Combine Everything:

Return the fried ribs, bell peppers, and onion to the wok. Toss everything together until the ribs and vegetables are well coated with the sauce.

Combine fried ribs, bell peppers, onion in wok. Toss until coated with sauce.

STEP 8

Serve:

Transfer the sweet and sour spare ribs to a serving plate and enjoy!

Recipe analyzer

Recipes: Sweet and Sour Ribs
Main Ingredients:6
Servings per recipe:1
Servings size:674 g

Nutritional Summary of Recipe

Amount per 674 g= 1 serving(s)

Energy (calories)：793 kcal

36%
Protein：99.29 g

182%
Fat：30.48 g Why gray?

63%
Carbohydrates：25.7 g

10%

Calorie breakdown

Protein: 53%

420 kcal
Fat: 35%

275 kcal
Carbohydrates: 12%

96 kcal

The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).

Omega 6 : Omega 3

1:1

20:1

Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.