VIETNAMESE SWEET & SOUR RIBS

Handed down from generation to generation, this recipe is a staple in any Vietnamese household. Sticky, sweet, and savory ribs on warm white rice is always the go-to meal in our family, and we are here to show you how to make our version, or in our opinion, the best version, of this classic Vietnamese dish.

I. Ingredients:

-Protein:

700g o. cut up ribs (try to use good marbled ribs)

70ml o. water

-Secret Sauce:

1 head o. garlic

1 tbs o. Chinsu chilli sauce

2 tbs o. fish sauce

2 tbs o. cane molasses/dark brown sugar

2 tbs o. vinegar

2 tbs o. water

II. Instructions:

Put your ribs into a wide, deep pan and cover them with water. Bring them to a boil, let sit for 3 minutes, and wash them in cold water. This is to ensure you take out the impurities inside the bones.

Clean your pan and put your ribs back in there. Put 70ml o. water in and cover your pan with a lid. Let them simmer for 10-15 minutes on medium-high heat or until the water has evaporated almost completely. Cooking with water and steam circulating inside your pan and lid at a constant temperature ensures that the inside of your ribs cook through and tender.

In the meantime, prepare your sauce by putting everything together in a bowl, whisk till combined.

With almost o. the water has evaporated, turn your heat to high and start browning THE FATTY SIDE of your ribs ONLY. Browning every side would cause the ribs to turn dry. This is where the Maillard reaction takes place, which will create brown pigments, appetizing aromas, and deeper flavor to your ribs, due to the chain of complex reactions between amino acids and simple sugars in presence of heat, especially that we are browning the fatty side. Browning the fatty side will do two things: adds depth and renders the fat.

After browning your protein, take them out onto a plate and pour your sauce in. Turn the heat to medium-high and stir constantly until the sauce thickens to prevent it from burning. Put your ribs in and stir to coat every piece of ribs with the sauce.

And you’re done! Try this recipe and you’ll never regret it!