Recipe: Chiu Chow-style ribs

Total time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Servings: 4

2 tablespoons kosher salt

3 1/2 pounds spare ribs, fat trimmed, membranes removed

2 cups light soy sauce

3/4cup packed dark brown sugar

6 whole star anise

2 teaspoons peppercorn mélange (assorted pink, black, white and green)

1 (4-inch) piece ginger, peeled

6 cloves garlic, peeled

1/2 cup rice wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons sugar

1. Rub salt into all surfaces of the ribs. Set aside for 1 hour.

2. Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, star anise, peppercorns, ginger and garlic in a stockpot. Add 10 cups water and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and add the ribs. Simmer, covered, 45 to 60 minutes, until the flesh starts to pull away from the bones. Set aside to cool while heating the grill.

3. Combine the vinegar with minced garlic and sugar and set aside.

4. Lay the ribs on the grill and cook 10 to 15 minutes, turning often, until charred and tender. Cut into individual ribs and serve with the vinegar sauce for dipping.

Each serving: 448 calories; 31 grams protein; 9 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 31 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 123 mg. cholesterol; 780 mg. sodium.