Craving the smoky, savory delight of grilled ribs but committed to a vegetarian lifestyle? This recipe delivers the ultimate plant-based twist on a classic comfort food. Forget tough, chewy imitations; these vegetarian grilled ribs are incredibly tender and flavorful, boasting a rich, BBQ-inspired glaze that will have even the most dedicated carnivores reaching for seconds. We’ve carefully crafted these ribs using readily available ingredients, ensuring a satisfying and surprisingly simple cooking experience. They're perfectly complemented by a fluffy bed of fragrant broken rice, creating a complete and balanced meal.
Prepare to be amazed by how easily these ribs come together. Their irresistible texture and taste will have you wondering how you ever lived without this satisfying vegetarian alternative. Ready to embark on this culinary adventure? Let's dive into the detailed step-by-step instructions below to create these mouthwatering Vegetarian Grilled Ribs with Broken Rice.
Tools Needed
- Blender
- Frying pan
- Oven or steamer
- Tray
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- Baby ribs (or vegetarian spleen): 4 pieces (approx. 60g if dry)
- Dried tiger bone: null
- Tofu: 2 pieces (approx. 300-400g)
- Lemongrass: 2 stalks
- All-purpose flour: 30g
- Grilled sauce: null
- Pickled shallot: null
- Lemon: null
- Chili: null
- Scallions: null
- Cooking oil: null
- Bread (optional): null
- Peanuts (optional): null
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Vegetarian Ribs
- Soak vegetarian ribs for 10-15 minutes to allow them to expand.
- Squeeze out excess water from the ribs, then tear them into small pieces. Blend or chop the ribs.
- Add tofu, lemongrass, and flour to the blended ribs. Mix well.
- Fry the mixture until golden and crispy. Set aside to drain excess oil.
Step 2. Make the Vegetarian Fish Sauce and Prepare Accompaniments
- Prepare the vegetarian fish sauce by mixing pickled shallot water, lemon, chili, and optionally, more water to adjust the taste.
- If using bread, tear it into small pieces and fry until golden and crispy.
Step 3. Cook and Glaze the Ribs
- Mix the fried mixture with some cooking oil and marinade sauce.
- Shape the mixture into small patties and place them on a tray.
- Bake or steam the ribs until cooked. For baking, preheat oven to 160°C, bake for 10 minutes, then brush with the remaining sauce and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Step 4. Serve and Garnish
- Serve the grilled ribs with broken rice and vegetarian fish sauce. Garnish with peanuts.
Read more: Vietnamese Grilled Pork: A Delicious BBQ Recipe
Tips
- To ensure the ribs are clean and fragrant, squeeze them through several changes of water to remove any cloudy water or odors.
- Use high heat when frying the bread to ensure it becomes golden and crispy quickly without absorbing too much oil.
- Adjust the amount of lemon and chili in the fish sauce to suit your preferred taste.
- For a more golden brown color, grill the ribs for a longer time, but be careful not to overcook them.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of rice instead of broken rice?
Yes! While broken rice adds a nice texture, you can substitute with regular long-grain rice, short-grain rice, or even quinoa for a similar result. Just adjust cooking time as needed.
2. How can I make these ribs spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the marinade for extra heat. You can also sprinkle some chili flakes on the ribs before grilling.
This recipe proves that delicious and satisfying vegan meals can be surprisingly easy to create. Enjoy the flavorful combination of smoky grilled ribs and comforting broken rice, a perfect dish for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. We hope you enjoy this vegetarian twist on a classic favorite!