Xiao Jianmings Spareribs With Chiles Recipes

XIAO JIANMING'S SPARERIBS WITH CHILES

Steps:

• Whisk together potato starch mixture and salt in a large bowl, then add ribs and toss to coat. Heat 6 cups peanut oil in a wok or 5-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until it registers 280°F on thermometer. Transfer ribs to wok with a slotted spoon and fry until just beginning to color but not yet pale golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Heat same oil to 380°F and fry ribs again, until dark brown and crisp, about 5 minutes more, then transfer to clean paper towels to drain. Transfer hot oil to a large saucepan to cool before discarding.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons peanut oil, red pepper flakes, and chile bean sauce to cold, cleaned wok, then stir-fry over high heat until fragrant, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Add ribs, whole chiles, wine, sesame seeds, and sugar, and continue stir-frying until chiles are fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer ribs to a bowl and toss with sesame and chile oils.
• *We prefer Eden brand sesame oil (available at natural foods stores), which is nutty and well balanced, as well as China Bowl, a supermarket brand, which is a little milder.

CHILE-BRAISED SHORT RIBS

Steps:

• Season ribs with salt. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour, or chill, uncovered, up to 12 hours. If chilling, let sit at room temperature 1 hour before cooking.
• Meanwhile, place chiles and 5 cups hot water in a blender and let sit while you prep onion and garlic.
• Heat broiler. Broil onion and garlic on a rimmed baking sheet, undisturbed, until charred on top (don't worry if they get super dark), 8-10 minutes.
• Pop garlic out of their skins and place garlic, onion, red pepper flakes, coriander, cumin, and cinnamon in blender with chiles. Blend until smooth but still speckled with chiles; season purée lightly with salt. Set aside.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium heavy pot over medium-high. Working in 2 batches, cook ribs, turning occasionally and reducing heat if needed, until browned all over, 10-12 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate.
• Carefully pour off oil and wipe out pot. Pour remaining 1 Tbsp. oil into pot and place back over medium-high heat. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until tomato paste begins to separate and stick to pot, about 3 minutes. Stir in chile purée. Return ribs to pot and bring liquid to a simmer. Partially cover pot and cook, reducing heat to low to maintain a very gentle simmer, turning ribs occasionally, and skimming any excess fat from surface, until meat is very tender, 3-3 1/2 hours. (If sauce gets thick before meat is done, add water as needed to thin out a bit.)
• Add squash to pot and push down so it's mostly submerged. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until squash is tender and liquid is thickened and saucy, 18-20 minutes.
• Serve ribs and squash, topped with yogurt and cilantro, with lime wedges.
• Do Ahead: Ribs (without toppings) can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.