Steamed Pork Ribs with Sour Plums
This classic Cantonese home-style dish combines tangy plums with tender pork ribs. Steaming preserves the natural flavors, making it incredibly appetizing and satisfying.
Ingredients
12 items- Pork ribs 500 g
- Sour plums (Chinese preserved plums) 5
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Ginger 1 small piece
- Light soy sauce 1 tbsp
- Dark soy sauce 1 tsp
- Cooking wine (Shaoxing) 1 tbsp
- Sugar 1 tbsp
- Salt 1/2 tsp
- Cornstarch 1 tbsp
- Vegetable oil 1 tbsp
- Spring onions 2
Nutrition
Steps (6 steps)
Cut the ribs into small pieces (about 3 cm). Soak in cold water for 30 minutes to remove blood. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
Place the sour plums in a small bowl, cover with warm water and soak until soft (about 10 minutes). Remove pits and mash into a paste with the back of a knife.
In a large bowl, combine ribs with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, salt, minced garlic, ginger and plum paste. Mix thoroughly. Add cornstarch and oil, mix again. Marinate for 20 minutes.
Add enough water to a steamer and bring to a boil over high heat. Arrange the marinated ribs evenly in a deep plate. Place in the steamer, cover, and steam over high heat for 20-25 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let rest for 2 minutes before opening the lid. Insert a chopstick into the thickest part of the meat; if it goes in easily with no pink juice, the ribs are done.
Remove the ribs, garnish with spring onion slices, and serve hot.
Tips
Soaking the ribs in water helps remove blood and reduce odor. Adjust sugar according to the sourness of the plums. Adding cornstarch seals in moisture for a more tender texture. Do not over-steam to prevent toughness.
You May Also Like
More recipes you might enjoy
Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce
A classic Cantonese dish, Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce is beloved for its rich, savory black bean aroma and tender, juicy pork. The gentle steaming method preserves the natural flavors of the ribs, while the aromatic sauce infuses every bite. Perfect with steamed rice.
Lanzhou Lamian (Lanzhou Pulled Noodles)
A signature of Northwest Chinese cuisine, Lanzhou Lamian features hand-pulled noodles with a chewy texture, served in a clear and savory beef broth topped with fragrant chili oil. Known for its 'five elements'—clear soup, white radish, red chili, green herbs, and yellow noodles—it's an iconic comfort food.
Sichuan Boiled Beef (Shui Zhu Niu Rou)
A fiery and aromatic masterpiece of Sichuan cuisine: tender beef slices in a robust broth, topped with sizzling chili oil. This classic dish delights with its numbing spiciness and rich layers of flavor.
Chongqing Spicy Chicken (Laziji)
A classic Chongqing dish featuring crispy chicken pieces tossed with dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns. The aromatic heat and numbing sensation are incredibly addictive. Perfect with steamed rice.