Pork ribs braised in young coconut juice (suon ram man)

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 red Asian shallot, diced
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 300 g (10 ½ oz) pork spare ribs, cut into 2 x 3 cm (¾ x 1 ¼ inch) pieces
• vegetable oil, for deep frying
• 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) young coconut water
• 1 onion, sliced into segments
• 2 coriander (cilantro) sprigs

Marinating time: 20 minutes

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the garlic, shallot, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Mix well, then add the pork ribs and stir to coat well. Set aside to marinate for 20 minutes.

Pour the oil into a wok and heat to 180°C (350°F), or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil browns in 15 seconds.

Add the undrained pork in batches and deep-fry over medium heat for 3 minutes, or until brown.

Remove the pork and drain on kitchen paper.

Put the coconut water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.

Add the pork ribs and simmer for 5 minutes, then increase the heat and cook for a further 3 minutes, or until the coconut water has reduced to a quarter of its original amount.

Add the remaining garlic, the onion and a pinch of black pepper. Stir constantly for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Transfer the ribs to a serving platter and garnish with coriander.

Serve with steamed jasmine rice.