Red-Braised Pork Ribs

Step 1

You can use spare ribs or back ribs. I use spare ribs. Remove any excess fat from the ribs. Cut into sections. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the ribs and boil for about 5 minutes. Discard the cooking liquid. Rinse the ribs clean

Step 2

Turn on saute on Instant Pot. When it's hot, put one tablespoon of oil and rock sugar and let the rock sugar slowly caramelize.

Step 3

Once the sugar turns golden brown, add the garlic, ginger, and green onion and cook until aromatic, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the wine and use a wooden spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot of any bits and pieces. Add the ribs and the seasonings. Stir to combine everything. Pour in water, just enough to barely cover the ribs

Step 5

Turn off the saute mode. Close the lid. Turn the steam release valve to sealing. Set the timer to 30 minutes then natural release.

Step 6

Unlock the lids and remove the ribs.

Step 7

Add the carrot pieces and turn on the saute mode and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until the carrots are soft. Proceed to thicken the sauce

Step 8

Preheat a heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. When it's hot, put one tablespoon of oil and rock sugar and let the rock sugar slowly caramelize.

Step 9

Once the sugar turns golden brown, add the garlic, ginger, and green onion and cook until aromatic, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and use a wooden spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot of any bits and pieces. Add the ribs and the seasonings. Stir to combine everything. Pour in water, just enough to barely cover the ribs

Step 10

Cover and cook over medium heat for about 35-40 minutes (or longer, depending on the size of the ribs) until the ribs are tender. Add the carrot pieces and cook for another 10 minutes until the carrots are tender. Proceed to thicken the sauce

Step 11

Typically, the red-braised dishes are cooked until the sauce is reduced, but in this recipe, our family actually likes the sauce to go with rice. So I didn’t cook the sauce until it reduced. I thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry. Combine cornstarch with water to make a cornstarch slurry. Pour this into the pot while stirring at the same time. The sauce will thicken. Turn off saute mode if using instant pot.

Step 12

Add the ribs back in and stir to combine everything

Step 13

Garnish with some chopped green part of the green onions and few sprigs of cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with rice or noodles or whatever you prefer