Recipe: P. F. Changs Spare Ribs

P. F. Changs Spare Ribs
Source: Olga Droz

SAUCE:
1 cup ketchup
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
1 rack pork spare ribs
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon diced green onion

Make the sauce by combining ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until thick. Cool.

To cook the ribs you will need to first boil them in water. Heat up 12 to 16 cups of water in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Add a couple teaspoons of salt to the water. As water boils, trim the excess fat and meat off the ribs. Slice between the bones of each rib to separate the ribs. When the water is boiling, toss the ribs in, bring the water back to a boil and boil the ribs for 12 to 14 minutes. No pink will show when they are done. Remove ribs to a plate to cool.

Heat up 4 cups of vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. The oil should be about 375 degrees. You can also use a deep fryer for this step, but your fryer will likely require more oil.

When the oil is hot, drop 4 to 6 ribs at a time into the oil. Fry for 2 to 4 minutes or until the meat browns. Drain off the ribs on a rack or paper towels. Fry all the ribs before moving on to the next step.

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, toss in all the ribs and coat with the sauce. Simmer the ribs in the sauce for about a minute while stirring and dump the ribs onto a serving plate when they are all well-coated with sauce.

Sprinkle the ribs with sesame seeds and about a tablespoon of diced green onion, and serve with a pile of napkins.