Chinese Sweet & Sour Spare Ribs

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds meaty spare ribs
• 2 inch section of ginger
• 6 stalks green onions
• 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine
• Generous pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons high heat cooking oil
• 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

1. Put the ribs in a saucepan, cover them with water, and bring the pot up to a boil over high heat. Spoon off the foam from the surface, then stir in half the ginger, half the green onions, the Chinese rice wine, and the salt. Lower the heat and let the ribs gently cook for 15 minutes, until the meat is tender and cooked through, skimming as needed. Drain the ribs, but save the cooking liquid for the sauce.
2. Set a wok or large saute pan over high heat and let it get seriously hot. Add the cooking oil, then toss in the remaining ginger and green onions. Cook, stirring, until they smell fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the drained spare ribs and stir-fry them in that aromatic oil for 2 minutes.
3. Pour in 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid, then add the dark soy sauce and sugar. Adjust the heat to medium and let everything simmer, repeatedly spooning the sauce over the ribs, until the liquid cooks down into a thick, glossy glaze.
4. Stir in the vinegar and cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the sauce tastes rounded and cohesive. Take the pan off the heat, then mix in the sesame oil.