Salt and pepper pork ribs

  • Prep time 30 mins
  • Cook time 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Serves 5+

Ingredients

  • 10-12 individual pork spare ribs
  • 1 tsp coarse salt
  • ½ tsp coarse black pepper
  • ½ tsp Szechuan peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 green chilli, finely sliced
  • 4 spring onions, finely sliced
  • ½ tsp ginger, finely sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

For the marinade:

  • 1 heaped tbsp cornflour
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1 tsp soft brown sugar

To serve:

  • Sweet chilli sauce
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  • Lime wedges

Method

Make salt and pepper pork ribs with a simple marinade and salt and Szechuan pepper. Cook them until tender and crisp, and serve with chilli and herbs.



  1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C / 160˚C fan / Gas 3.
  2. Cook the ribs by placing them in an oven tray, and add ¼ pt of water. Cover tightly with foil and cook in the oven for 1.5 – 2 hours until the pork is tender. (You can use a slow cooker).
  3. Remove from the tin and allow to cool.
  4. Place the Szechuan peppercorns in a small pan and carefully heat for 1 minute. Allow the peppercorns to cool, and then crush in a grinder.
  5. Mix the peppers together with the salt.
  6. Make the marinade by mixing the cornflour, water, Chinese five-spice and sugar. Use to coat the ribs and leave in a bowl for 1 hour.
  7. Heat the oven to 210˚C / 190˚C fan / Gas 6.
  8. Place the ribs on a greased baking sheet or on non-stick baking paper, brush with oil and place in the oven for approximately 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally. Cook until crisp.
  9. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the chilli, spring onion, garlic and ginger and fry for a few minutes, then add the soy sauce and the ribs and turn until the ribs are coated. Sprinkle the peppercorn and salt mixture over the top.
  10. Serve immediately.