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Char siu paigu (叉烧排骨)

China

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Char Siu Paigu, Chinese BBQ pork ribs, Ghibli anime illustration

Pork ribs marinated in char siu sauce with aromatic spices, baked until a golden crust and then grilled in an air grill. The dish combines honey sweetness and a light spiciness, achieving a rich Chinese barbecue flavor.

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Place each rack of ribs on a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to wrap them completely, and remove the film from the reverse side.

  2. Chashao Paigu preparation, anime illustration of mixing sauces in a magical kitchen

    In a bowl, combine char siu sauce, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, garlic powder, ground chili and, if desired, food coloring until smooth.

  3. Ghibli-style illustration of Char Siu Spareribs recipe step: marinating pork with ginger

    Generously coat the ribs with the resulting marinade on both sides, place ginger slices on top and tightly wrap each rack in foil.

  4. Anime illustration of marinated Char Siu spare ribs, preparation step

    Marinate the ribs in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (no more than 24 hours). One hour before cooking, remove them and let them come to room temperature.

  5. Preparing Char Siu Ribs, Chinese Cuisine, Anime Illustration, Ghibli Style

    Preheat the oven to 210 °C (410 °F).

  6. Char Siu Spareribs: Anime-style cooking illustration, Ghibli aesthetic

    Remove the ribs from the foil (discard the ginger), place them on a rack set in a roasting pan, and pour hot water into the pan so that it does not touch the ribs.

  7. Ghibli-style illustration of Char Siu Spareribs preparation, anime food art

    Roast the ribs for 35 minutes, adding more hot water to the pan if necessary.

  8. Char Siu Ribs cooking, Studio Ghibli illustration, Chinese cuisine

    Remove the ribs, brush them with honey and return to the oven.

  9. Chashao Paigu baking, Chinese cuisine, Studio Ghibli anime illustration

    Increase the oven temperature to 220 °C (425 °F) and bake for about 10 minutes, until the ribs are lightly browned.

  10. Preparing Char Siu Ribs, Chinese cuisine, Studio Ghibli anime illustration

    Heat the air grill to 200 °C (390 °F) for 3 minutes.

  11. Chashao Paigu cooking illustration, Studio Ghibli anime style

    Transfer the marinated ribs (without ginger) onto the air grill rack without overlapping and cook for 10 minutes.

  12. Char Siu Spare Ribs cooking step, Studio Ghibli anime style illustration, magical kitchen art

    Brush the ribs with honey again and cook for another 2 minutes until a light crust forms.

  13. Char Siu Ribs: Ghibli-style anime illustration of Chinese cooking

    Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes, then cut them with a knife and serve immediately.

FAQ

How do you pronounce Chāshāo páigǔ?

It's pronounced 'Cha-shao pie-goo', with 'Chāshāo' referring to the BBQ style and 'páigǔ' meaning pork ribs.

Can I make Chāshāo páigǔ without an air grill?

Yes, you can finish the ribs in a conventional oven on a high heat setting for a similar golden crust, or pan-fry them briefly after baking.

What can I substitute for char siu sauce if I can't find it?

You can create a homemade version using hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, and a touch of red food coloring.

How does Umami Guru's AI assistant help with this recipe?

Our AI assistant guides you through complex steps, suggests ingredient substitutions, and helps calculate cooking times for perfect results.

What is the cultural significance of Chāshāo páigǔ?

Chāshāo páigǔ is a beloved dish in Cantonese cuisine, often enjoyed at dim sum or as a main course, known for its distinctive sweet and savory flavor.