It was a sunny weekend afternoon. My daughter came skipping into the living – room where I was reading the newspaper. “Daddy, I want to eat braised spare ribs!” she said with a big smile, her eyes shining with anticipation. How could I say no to that sweet request? So, I told my wife, and we immediately headed to the local market.
The market was bustling with activity. Vendors were shouting out their prices, and the air was filled with the smell of fresh produce. We carefully selected the meatiest spare ribs and a few large potatoes. As we made our way back home, we were already looking forward to the delicious meal that was about to be prepared.
Just as we got home, my father arrived with a big basket of fragrant melons and peaches he had picked from his garden. “Here, these are for the family,” he said, his face beaming with pride. My daughter was overjoyed, running up to give her grandpa a big hug.
Dish Overview
In our family, Braised Spare Ribs with Potatoes is more than just a dish; it’s a symbol of togetherness. My mother, an expert in the kitchen, always knows how to make this dish taste extraordinary. The combination of tender spare ribs and soft, flavorful potatoes is a classic that we all love. It’s a dish that brings the whole family together around the dinner table, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 500 grams of spare ribs
- 3 medium – sized potatoes
- 2 green onions
- 2 slices of ginger
- 3 cloves of garlic
Seasonings / Others
- 2 tablespoons of cooking wine
- 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of rock sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- 3 cups of water
- Some vegetable oil
Step – by – Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients My mother started by getting all the ingredients ready. My daughter was her little helper, handing her the vegetables and watching intently as she cut the spare ribs into pieces. I washed the green onions, sliced the ginger, and minced the garlic.
Step 2: Blanch the Spare Ribs Mom put the spare ribs in a pot of boiling water and added 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. As the water bubbled, the blood and impurities rose to the surface. After a few minutes, she fished out the spare ribs and rinsed them under cold water.
Step 3: Stir – Fry the Aromatics She then heated some vegetable oil in a wok. When the oil was hot, she added the ginger slices and garlic cloves. They started to sizzle and release a wonderful, spicy aroma that filled the whole kitchen.
Step 4: Cook the Spare Ribs Next, Mom added the blanched spare ribs to the wok. She stirred them around until their surfaces turned a beautiful golden – brown. Then, she added 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of rock sugar. The spare ribs quickly absorbed the rich flavors, and the color deepened to a lovely reddish – brown.
Step 5: Add Potatoes and Water My daughter was excited to place the potato chunks into the wok. Mom stirred them gently with the spare ribs. Then, she poured in 3 cups of water, covering the ingredients. She brought the water to a boil and then reduced the heat to a simmer.
Step 6: Season and Garnish After about 30 – 40 minutes, when the spare ribs were tender and the potatoes were soft, Mom added 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. She stirred well to adjust the flavor. Finally, she sprinkled the chopped green onions on top, adding a fresh touch to the dish.
Nutrition Insights
Spare ribs are a great source of protein, which is important for my daughter’s growth and development. Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. This dish provides a balanced meal for the whole family, ensuring we get the nutrients we need. And the melons and peaches that grandpa brought are full of vitamins and water, perfect for a healthy snack.
Tips & Variations
- If you want a spicier flavor, you can add some dried chili peppers when stir – frying the aromatics.
- You can also use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a different taste.
- Make sure to stir the dish occasionally when simmering to ensure even cooking.
Serving Suggestions
We usually serve this Braised Spare Ribs with Potatoes with a big bowl of white rice. A simple stir – fried green vegetable and a bowl of egg drop soup also go well with it. And of course, the fresh melons and peaches make a wonderful dessert.
Emotional Closure
After a delicious dinner, we all felt satisfied and happy. My daughter, with a full belly, said, “This is the best dinner ever!” We decided to go for a stroll in the neighborhood. As we walked hand in hand, enjoying the cool evening breeze, I realized that these simple family moments are the most precious. The braised spare ribs with potatoes, the fresh fruits from the garden, and the time spent together as a family will always be engraved in our hearts.
