Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce (4 Servings)

½ cup chicken stock; ½ cup water

1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

1 tbsp water

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 spring onions (scallions), chopped

½ tsp salt

2 tbsp black bean sauce

2 tbsp oil

2 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp sugar

2 lb pork spare ribs

1) Chop the spare ribs into 1 inch pieces.

2) Combine the garlic, spring onions, black bean sauce, wine or sherry, water and 1 tbsp of soy sauce. Mix the rest of the soy sauce with the cornflour, sugar and water.

3) Heat the oil and salt, frying the spare ribs until a golden-brown colour is achieved. Drain off the oil.

4) Put in the garlic mixture and stir-fry approx 2 minutes.

5) Put in the stock, bring to the boil, cover and simmer 4 minutes.

6) Mix in the cornflour mixture and simmer, stirring, until the sauce clears and becomes thick.