Spicy & Sweet Braised Pork Ribs with Rice Cakes
Spicy & Sweet Braised Pork Ribs with Rice Cakes
Spicy Pork Ribs with Rice Cakes: A Dish to Ignite Your Appetite
Don’t let its appearance fool you – this dish packs a punch! Although it might not look overtly spicy, the addition of blended Cheongyang chili peppers in the sauce creates an incredibly flavorful, spicy, and sweet profile for the braised pork ribs and rice cakes. It’s addictively delicious, with a savory depth that keeps you coming back for more. The chewy rice cakes add a wonderful texture, making this a satisfying and hearty meal. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork ribs combined with the perfectly balanced sweet and spicy sauce are simply divine. This dish is not only a fantastic side for rice but also a great accompaniment to drinks!
Main Ingredients- Pork ribs 1kg (2.2 lbs)
- Tteokbokki rice cakes 10 pieces
- Carrot 50g (approx. 1/4 cup)
- Broccoli 50g (approx. 1/4 cup florets)
- Green onion 1 stalk
- Cheongyang chili peppers 2
- Onion 1
- Bay leaves 2
- Grapeseed oil 1 Tbsp
Sauce Ingredients- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Maesilcheong (Plum extract) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru oil (chili oil) 1 Tbsp
- Oligodang (corn syrup) 2 Tbsp
- Soju or rice wine with ginger 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (rice wine) 2 Tbsp
- Brown sugar 1 Tbsp
- Blended Cheongyang chili pepper juice 1 cup
- Sesame seeds (for garnish) a pinch
- Sesame oil (for finishing) a pinch
- Salt (to taste) a pinch
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Maesilcheong (Plum extract) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru oil (chili oil) 1 Tbsp
- Oligodang (corn syrup) 2 Tbsp
- Soju or rice wine with ginger 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (rice wine) 2 Tbsp
- Brown sugar 1 Tbsp
- Blended Cheongyang chili pepper juice 1 cup
- Sesame seeds (for garnish) a pinch
- Sesame oil (for finishing) a pinch
- Salt (to taste) a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all your ingredients according to the recipe. Soak the pork ribs in cold water to remove excess blood, and wash and prepare all the vegetables.
Step 2
Lightly blanch the broccoli in boiling water. Cut the carrot and radish into bite-sized pieces. Soak the tteokbokki rice cakes in cold water until soft and pliable (both cylinder and disc shapes work well).
Step 3
In a blender, combine the green onion, onion, Cheongyang chili peppers, and half a cup of water. Blend until smooth. In a bowl, mix this blended mixture with gochugaru, soy sauce, gochujang, minced garlic, maesilcheong, chili oil, oligodang, ginger soju, mirin, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved to create the flavorful sauce. (Set aside sesame seeds and sesame oil for garnish).
Step 4
Place the soaked pork ribs in a pot along with water, ginger soju, bay leaves, and a piece of green onion. Bring to a boil, then add the pork ribs. Boil briefly just until the surface of the meat changes color (parboiling). This step helps remove impurities and tenderizes the meat.
Step 5
Rinse the parboiled pork ribs under cold running water to remove any remaining scum or excess fat. If the ribs are large, cut them into more manageable pieces, or score them with a knife to help the sauce penetrate better.
Step 6
Heat grapeseed oil in a wide pot or pan over medium heat. Add the pork ribs and stir-fry until their surfaces are lightly coated and slightly browned. This searing adds depth of flavor.
Step 7
Pour all the prepared sauce over the pork ribs. Add a little water if needed, and stir to ensure the ribs are evenly coated. Cover the pot and let it simmer over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the pork to become tender.
Step 8
Once the pork ribs are partially tender, add the prepared carrots and radish to the pot.
Step 9
Cover again and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to cook and absorb the sauce.
Step 10
When the ribs and vegetables have absorbed the sauce well, add the softened tteokbokki rice cakes. The rice cakes will make the dish even more satisfying and add a delightful chewy texture.
Step 11
Continue to simmer for about 5 more minutes, ensuring the rice cakes are well coated with the sauce and heated through. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary. If you prefer it spicier, feel free to add more chili peppers or gochugaru.
Step 12
In the final step, add the blanched broccoli florets and gently toss to combine. Broccoli cooks quickly, so adding it at the end preserves its vibrant color and crisp-tender texture.
Step 13
Turn off the heat. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Your delicious Spicy & Sweet Braised Pork Ribs with Rice Cakes are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve hot.
