Ingredient: fresh ginger, peeled & finely diced

It seems that the exact origin of five-spice powder is unknown but there is some speculation that the blend was created in traditional Chinese medicine. A very unique spice blend that represents a wide range of flavors from sweet, salty and bitter to pungent and sour. Rumor has it that the Chinese were trying to create a ‘miracle powder’ that was representative of all the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Then again, its possible that a cook accidentally stumbled upon this particular combination of spices and realized its power to improve on a bland dish. In any case, it is very versatile and can be used not only in cooking but also adds a unique flavor to baked goods.

Many recipes for five-spice powder exist but there is no one traditional recipe. Often the ingredients and amounts can vary from region to region and are different depending on the household and individual tastes. The original blend contained star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel seed, cinnamon and cloves. A staple in Chinese cuisine but has also found its way into other international cuisines such as Vietnamese and Hawaiian food.

This is an interesting recipe combining pork with a spicy rhubarb sauce. Definitely a keeper!

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Chinese Pork Ribs with Spicy Rhubarb Sauce

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Rating: 5
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Course

Main Dish

Cuisine

American, European, Korean, Middle Eastern

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

Rhubarb Sauce

• 1 cup fresh rhubarb, chopped
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 large clove garlic,minced
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, peeled & finely diced
• 1 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp lemon juice

Rib Marinade

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
• 680 grams pork, country style ribs, cut into serving size

Course Main Dish Cuisine American, European, Korean, Middle Eastern Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients Rhubarb Sauce 1 cup fresh rhubarb, chopped 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup honey 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce 1 large clove garlic,minced 2 tsp fresh ginger, peeled & finely diced 1 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper 1 Tbsp soy sauce 2 tsp lemon juice Rib Marinade 2 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp honey 1 Tbsp oil 1 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder 1/2 tsp pepper 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced for garnish 680 grams pork, country style ribs, cut into serving size

Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe!

Instructions

Rhubarb Sauce

1. In a saucepan, combine rhubarb, water, honey, hoisin, garlic, ginger, 5-spice powder & crushed red pepper. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced & the rhubarb is very soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat & stir in soy sauce & lemon juice. Transfer 2 TABLESPOONS of the sauce to a saucer; set aside the remaining sauce until serving time.

Rib Marinade

1. In a resealable large plastic bag, combine soy sauce, honey, oil, 5-spice powder, salt, pepper & the 2 Tbsp of reserved 'rhubarb sauce'. Place ribs in the bag; seal & marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 275 F. Place ribs & marinade in a baking dish. Place in oven to SLOW roast for about 1 1/2 hours until VERY tender. Remove from oven, garnish with sliced green onion & serve with remaining rhubarb sauce.