Dried plum pork ribs: Yongtai's special sweet, sour delight

A host of ingredients are set out for making dried plum pork ribs. [Photo/people.cn]

In summer, the traditional cooking method favored by the locals of Yongtai county, is to cook sour and sweet dried plums with pork ribs. 

Cooking dried plums with pork ribs can help remove the greasiness of the ribs, while also providing thirst-quenching, cooling and appetite-enhancing effects.

To make dried plum pork ribs, start by selecting several dried plums and soaking them in water for two hours to release the flavor of the fruit. Then, prepare the pork ribs by cutting them into small pieces, coating them with flour and rinsing with cold water to remove any blood. 

Once all the preparations are done, then add the pork ribs and fry until golden brown before removing and setting them aside.

Next, pour out most of the oil from the pan, leaving only a small amount. Add crushed rock sugar to the pan and stir-fry over low heat until it melts and turns amber in color.

After that, take a clay pot and line the bottom with a bamboo mat. Place the pork ribs, dried plums, spice packet and syrup into the clay pot. Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, monosodium glutamate and chicken essence for seasoning. 

Simmer over low heat for about an hour and a half until the sauce thickens. Then, add some honey for flavor. 

Transfer the dish to a serving plate, drizzle with a fragrant sauce, sprinkle with chopped green onions and garnish with a few florets of broccoli. The sweet and sour, appetizing dried plum pork ribs are now ready to be served!

Drain excess water from the sliced pork ribs. [Photo/people.cn]