Chef Jaime Laurita's Char Siu Pork Ribs




Char Siu Pork Ribs

Ingredients

1 slab of Pork Backribs (3.25 lb)

Marinade
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup brandy
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tbsp toasted sesame seed oil
2 tbsp Shiracha chili sauce
2 tbsp of dark rum
1 tbsp minced ginger (or powered)
1 tbsp powdered onion
1/2 tbsp powdered garlic
1/2 tbsp five spice powder
1 tsp red food coloring or substitute with beet root powder (optional but traditional)
1 orange, zested (for garnish) and juiced (for the marinade)


Method
1) Mix the marinade thoroughly in a bowl. The brandy and rum help with the meat marinade, but if you need to replace it, use apple cider.
2) Remove the meat from the packaging and remove the silver skin from the bone side of the rib meat so the marinade penetrates the meat more efficiently. Marinate the meat overnight inside the fridge in a metal bowl (covered in plastic wrap) or in a large plastic ziplock bag, I go overnight in the fridge but in a pinch at least 6 hours before grilling.  Do not use the leftover marinade for anything as it contains meat juices and it should be disposed of.
3) Preheat your Viking Grill to 250 degrees.
4) Using a standard oven broiling pan, line the inside of the pan with foil and fill halfway with water. Place the lid of the broiling pan on and coat it with cooking spray, place ribs evenly across the pan, spaced apart and bone side down. Brush some of the remaining marinade over the top of your ribs. Start to cook your ribs with the lid on your grill  closed. You are looking for a nice rich crispy char and bright glazed red meat. This is for approximately 1.5 - 2 hours and you might add water occasionally to the broiling pan, you never want it to dry out as it is catching the cooking liquids and the steam helps with the cooking process.It also keeps the ribs moist.
5) 10 minutes prior to removing the meat from the grill, I mix ¿ cup of honey and a dash of Chinese 5 spice together and brush it onto the ribs.This gives the ribs a beautiful sweet glaze.
6) Garnish with orange zest (options to add cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, lime zest)

Chef's notes… I love serving these ribs with my homemade fried rice, roasted corn and a delicious sour slaw. These are my favorite ribs!!! Enjoy!!