Delight in Every Bite: Authentic Chinese Pork Riblets Recipe
Hey there! Today, we’re diving into the tasty world of Chinese pork riblets. This is a delicious dish from China that’s all about amazing flavors and textures. These little bites of riblets are incredibly tasty, with sweet, savory flavors. They’re small but a mighty taste explosion. Whether you enjoy them as a main dish, or as part of a bigger meal, Chinese pork riblets always taste incredible. They capture the yummy essence of Chinese cooking. So, let’s dive into making these mouthwatering riblets and enjoy some Asian flavors!
Chinese Pork Riblets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb riblets (flanken styles)
- 1 tsp salt
Sauce
- Sliced ginger
- Minced garlic
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or black vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 cup water
- Red chili (optional)
Garnishing
- Green onion
- Sesame seeds
How to make Chinese Pork Riblets
- Chop your riblets into bite-sized pieces.
- Blanch the ribs with salt for 2 – 3 minutes to render off the excessive fat and impurities.
- In the same pod, saute the garlic until it becomes golden brown.
- Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vinegar, honey, and sugar.
- Add 1/2 cup of water and simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes with the lid covered.
- Remove the ginger and add the riblets.
- Add another cup of water, stir and continue simmering for 10-15 minutes with lid cover half the pod. Maksure to stir the riblets periodically.
- Add the peppercorn and chili if desired.
- Turn of the heat once the liquid is 20% left and the riblets glister. (see the last photo)
Note: Remember to stir the riblets while simmering to ensure even color and flavor.
The difference between riblets and ribs
Chinese riblets are smaller, bite-sized pieces of ribs. They’re often cut in what’s known as “flanken style.” This means they are sliced across the bone, creating thin, rectangular pieces of meat with a circular bone in the center. While full ribs are more substantial cuts. So, the main difference is in the size and amount of meat you get with riblets and ribs. The choice depends on your preference.
Is balsamic vinegar different from black vinegar?
Balsamic vinegar is different from black vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is known for its sweet and slightly fruity flavor, often used in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. On the other hand, black vinegar has a deeper, rich, and slightly smoky taste, which is more common in Chinese and Asian dishes.
For Chinese pork riblets, I went out of the ordinary to use balsamic vinegar as a substitute for black vinegar. I turned out that the flavor profile is even better. If you like a sweeter and slightly different taste compared to the traditional Chinese flavor, and don’t have black vinegar at hands, I would recommend trying out balsamic vinegar for your chinese pork riblets. So, it’s a matter of personal preference, and you can experiment with both to find the flavor that you like best.
How do you achieve the dark brown finish for the ribs?
To achieve that enticing dark brown finish for your Chinese pork riblets, the secret ingredient is dark soy sauce. Dark soy sauce is thicker, richer, and has a sweeter, more intense flavor compared to regular or light soy sauce. It’s often used in Chinese cooking to add depth of color and flavor to dishes.
When you simmer your riblets in a mixture that includes dark soy sauce, the sauce will gradually reduce and caramelize, giving the meat that luscious dark brown glaze. The longer you simmer, the darker and more flavorful the finish becomes. This process not only enhances the appearance of the riblets but also imparts a complex and savory taste that makes them utterly irresistible. So, dark soy sauce is the key to achieving that delectable dark brown color for your Chinese pork riblets.
What can you pair Chinese pork riblets with?
Chinese pork riblets are versatile and can be paired with a variety of side dishes and accompaniments. Here are a few tasty options:
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: A classic choice, steamed rice is an excellent accompaniment that complements the savory flavors of the riblets.
- Noodles: Whether it’s chow mein, lo mein, or simple egg noodles, they make for a satisfying and flavorful pairing with the riblets.
- Chinese steamed buns: Use the riblets as a filling for soft buns, a perfect combination.
- Pickled Vegetables: The tangy and crunchy texture of pickled vegetables provides a zesty balance to the rich flavors of the riblets.
Chinese pork riblets are a flavorful canvas that works well with a variety of side dishes, allowing you to customize your meal to your liking.
Hope you enjoy your Chinese pork riblets!
Chinese Pork Riblets
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb riblets flanken styles
- 1 tsp salt
Sauce
- Sliced ginger
- Minced garlic
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or black vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 cup water
- Red chili optional
Garnishing
- Green onion
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Chop your riblets into bite-sized pieces.
- Blanch the ribs with salt for 2 – 3 minutes to render off the excessive fat and impurities.
- In the same pod, saute the garlic until it becomes golden brown.
- Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, vinegar, honey, and sugar.
- Add 1/2 cup of water and simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes with the lid covered.
- Remove the ginger and add the riblets.
- Add another cup of water, stir and continue simmering for 10-15 minutes with lid cover half the pod. Maksure to stir the riblets periodically.
- Add the peppercorn and chili if desired.
- Turn of the heat once the liquid is 20% left and the riblets glister. (see the last photo)
Notes
