Simple Ribs and Sesame Noodles Recipes

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Year of the Rabbit! Today kicks off  Chinese New Year celebrations and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious recipe of plum-glazed ribs and sesame noodles? These two recipes are so easy that you can skip the Chinese take-out and make a meal that will set your Year of the Rabbit off in the right culinary direction.

Plum-Glazed Ribs
Serves 4-6
What you’ll need…
2 pounds pork ribs
1-inch-thick piece ginger; peeled and grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sherry
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
5 tablespoons plum sauce, plus extra for basting
Salt and pepper
3 green onions, thinly sliced

Get started…
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Combine the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sherry, hoisin sauce, plum sauce, and salt and pepper. Marinate the ribs in this mixture for at least half an hour.
3.  Bake for 1 hour. Halfway through the cooking time, baste the meat with plum sauce and cover with foil to prevent the bones from getting burned. Top with the sliced green onions.

Sesame Noodles with Scallions and Snow Peas
Serves 4-6
What you’ll need…
1 egg
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup dark sesame oil
1/2 cup corn oil
1/2 pound linguine or other thin pasta
3-4 teaspoons chili oil
Green onions thinly sliced
1/4 pound snow peas, thinly sliced lengthwise

Get started…
1.  Combine the egg, egg yolks, rice-wine vinegar, soy sauce and Dijon mustard in a blender.
2.  While the blender is on, add the sesame and corn oils in a slow, steady stream.
3.  Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain well and put into a large bowl. Dress the hot pasta with the sesame dressing.
4. Add the chili oil, green onions and snow peas. Toss to combine.

And if you’d like to add some festive decor for your Chinese New Year dinner, make this fun paper lantern butterfly!