Brunei - Bak Kut The (Spicy Sparerib Consomme)

Bak Kut The (Spicy Sparerib Consomme)

Ingredients

-       1 lb 6 oz beef/mutton sparerib (cut into bite-size pieces)

-       1 tablespoon sugar

-       3 tablespoons shortening

-       1/2 teaspoon salt

-       1/2 teaspoon pepper

-       2 cloves garlic (bashed)

-       1 teaspoon preserved brown soya beans, pounded

-       1 teaspoon dark soya sauce

-       1 teaspoon salt

-       1 piece of cinnamon bark (1 inch)

-       1 teaspoon peppercorns

-       2 segments star anise

-       3 pints of boiling water

-       some crispy Chinese crullers ("Yu-Char-Koay", sliced)

-       1 tablespoon crispy shallots.

Directions

1.     Rub salt on spareribs.

2.     Heat pan till very hot. Add 2 tablespoons of shortening. Fry spareribs till well-browned. Set aside for later use.

3.     Using a clean pan, heat 1 tablespoon shortening. Add sugar and caramelize until light brown. Add soya beans. Stir-fry for 1/2 minute. Then put in the fried sparerib and peppercorns.

4.     Let the consomme boil on high heat for 10 minutes. Then turn down the heat, let simmer for another 1.5 - 1.75 hours (or until the meat is tender). Discard excess oil from the surface before serving.

5.     Serve hot with cruller slices.