Chilli Spare Ribs Recipes

MEXICAN-STYLE CHILLI RIBS

Steps:

• Mix the dry rub ingredients with ½ tsp flaky sea salt, then massage into the meat. Marinate for at least 1 hr, or ideally up to 1 day in the fridge.
• To make the sauce, heat the oil in a small saucepan and soften the garlic for 1 min. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, plus 2 tbsp water and simmer for a few secs until the sugar melts. Season with salt and set aside.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Put the ribs in a roasting tin in 1 fairly snug layer. Pour in 100ml hot water, cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 2 hrs until the meat pulls easily from the bones. Drain off any fat. The ribs can be cooled and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• For the final stage of cooking, get the barbecue ready and wait until the coals are glowing white and grey. Cook the ribs for 4-5 mins on each side until dark golden and hot through - use tongs to turn them carefully. Brush with some of the chipotle sauce and give the ribs 1 min more to char here and there. Serve on a platter with the rest of the sauce for spooning, lime wedges, plus a big bowl of Smoky corn & avocado salsa (see related recipes, right).

CHILLI, SALT & PEPPER RIBS

Steps:

• Wash 1kg of ribs and place in a pan with star anise and bay leaves.
• Add water until it covers the top of the meat. Cook on medium heat for 1 hour or more until the ribs are soft. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
• Slice onion into strips, chop chillis and spring onions, set aside for later.
• Finely chop 2 cloves of garlic and cook in a small pan with 1tsp of oil. Keep the heat low as you want to avoid burning the garlic. Cook for 5-10 minutes until garlic is golden and crispy. Place on a paper towel and set aside.
• In a large bowl add flour, cornflour, salt and pepper. Add water until it forms a thin consistency. Add the cooked and ribs and coat evenly in the batter.
• Heat up 500ml of oil in a pan or wok. Fry the ribs until golden brown. Set aside to drain on a paper towel.
• When the ribs are all fried. Heat up 3 tbsp of oil in a pan. Fry the onions, chillis and spring onions for 5 minutes or until the onions are slightly translucent.
• Add in the ribs and stir well, coat the ribs with the onions, chillis and green onions. Drizzle sesame oil and cook for further 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle with crispy garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well and transfer to a plate. Enjoy!

CHILLI SPARE RIBS

Steps:

• Place the pork in a large pot with water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain well.
• Place all the remaining ingredients and the pork ribs in a wok. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup liquid.
• Heat a clean wok and sear the pork until browned.
• Add the reserved liquid and cook over medium until it glazes.
• Chop the pork into bite size pieces and serve.

CHILLI PORK SPARE RIBS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer or large wok and deep-fry the spare ribs until they are brown and crisp. Do this in several batches, draining each cooked batch well on kitchen paper.
• Combine all the sauce ingredients in a large pan and bring to the boil. Add the deep-fried spare ribs, cover and simmer for about 1 hr or until they are tender. Drain off the sauce and remove any remaining fat.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the spare ribs on a rack in a roasting tin and bake in the oven for 15-20 mins until they are brown, basting with the braising sauce every 5 mins.
• Using a cleaver or a sharp, heavy knife, chop the spare ribs into 6cm-long pieces. Turn them onto a warm serving platter and serve immediately.