Suon non kho thom is a family dinner pot that covers the whole meal. The ribs come out falling off the bone, the sauce is glossy, and the sour and the sweet sit level with each other. The timing question is when the pineapple goes in, because too early and the pieces disintegrate.
The marinated ribs go straight into the pot with a tablespoon of oil, covered, and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes. The pineapple joins only for the last 10 to 15 minutes, so the pieces stay whole.
This batch weighs about 1.1kg, at roughly 124 calories per 100g.
Method
Rub 500g pork ribs with coarse salt, rinse, then blanch for about 1 minute in hard boiling water with a little salt, uncovered. Lift out, rinse under cold water and drain thoroughly.
Marinate the ribs with 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1/2 tablespoon kOBE Monk Fruit Blend, 1/2 tablespoon MSG, 1 tablespoon annatto oil, 1 tablespoon caramel sauce, 1 teaspoon peppercorns and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, then leave for 15 minutes.
Peel the pineapple, remove the eyes and core, and cut into triangles. Mince the shallot and garlic, and chop the spring onion and chili.
Put the marinated ribs in a pot with 1 tablespoon cooking oil, cover tightly and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes until tender.
Add the pineapple with the minced shallot and garlic and braise for another 10 to 15 minutes.
Season with 1 more tablespoon fish sauce, add the spring onion and chili and stir. For a browner finish, raise the heat and stir quickly for 15 to 20 seconds, then turn off the heat.
Tips
A ripe pineapple brings sweetness, while an underripe one turns the pot sharply sour.
A pressure cooker cuts the simmering time for the ribs considerably.
Simmer the ribs for 40 minutes in nothing but the oil and the marinade, since added water leaves the meat bland and slow to color.
Blanching the ribs uncovered lets the foam and the off smell escape, which leaves a clearer sauce later.
Pineapple added too early falls apart, so the last 10 to 15 minutes is the right window.
Need kOBE Monk Fruit Blend?
The recipe above is sweetened with kOBE Monk Fruit Blend, measured 1:1 like sugar. See the product page or send us a message.