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Chinese salt and pepper spare ribs plated with chilli, coriander and spring onion

Chinese Salt & Pepper Spare Ribs

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Crispy velveted pork spare ribs deep fried until golden, then tossed with garlic, chilli, spring onion and fragrant five spice for the ultimate salt and pepper spare ribs.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2-3 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Pork:

  • 500 g pork spare ribs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp YumYum Meat Velvet (or 2 tsp cornflour + 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp water)
  • 2 tbsp water

Batter:

  • ⅔ cup self-raising flour
  • ⅓ cup corn flour
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 tbsp oil

Stir Fry:

  • 6 garlic cloves, finely diced
  • 2 red chillies, finely chopped
  • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp five spice seasoning
  • 1 tsp umami seasoning (or MSG)
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
  • 2 tbsp oil

Instructions

  1. Velvet the pork: place the spare ribs in a bowl and coat with the meat velvet and water (or the cornflour, baking soda and water). Set aside for 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Make the batter: whisk the self-raising flour, corn flour, water and oil to a smooth batter, then pour over the pork and mix until every piece is coated.
  3. Heat a wok filled with oil for deep frying over maximum heat. Add the pork one piece at a time, moving it gently, and fry until golden brown, crispy and cooked through. Drain well.
  4. Heat a clean wok over high heat with the oil and fry the garlic, chilli and spring onion until fragrant.
  5. Return the crispy pork and season with the five spice and umami seasoning, tossing over high heat.
  6. Finish with the sesame oil and Chinese cooking wine, toss to coat, and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

Frying the pork one piece at a time keeps the batter from clumping and gives you that shatter-crisp coating. For extra crunch you can double fry — rest the pork after the first fry, then blast it a second time just before tossing. Keep the final stir-fry fast and hot so the crust stays crisp.

  • Author: Vincent Yeow Lim
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Pork
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate