10 Step Recipe For Bak Kut Teh At Home
Arresting flavours only, please
Pork Rib Soup, or more commonly known in Singapore as Bak Kut Teh, is a delightful comforting bowl of goodness. A bowl Bak Kut Teh does wonders. The pork-based, peppery and clear broth warms the body. The dish calms the soul better than chicken soup – reminding you of home and simpler times. In fact, the dish is so tantalizing that some may even risk breaking the law.
Perhaps the best of part it all, Bak Kut Teh is a dish that is so easy to make at home. The ingredients are easily available at the supermarket. Simply pick them up when purchasing your weekly essentials. Plus, with many of us working from home, you now have the luxury to watch over the pot. The scent wafting from the kitchen will accompany (or distract) you the entire day.
Photo by @ganimaly
The Ingredients
· 1 kg Sliced pork ribs
· 2 – 3 Whole garlic bulbs
· 20 grams White peppercorn
· 1 Pack of bak kut teh spice mix
· Dark soy sauce
· Salt
· Red chilies
The 10 Steps:
- Crush and bruise your garlic bulbs till the skin covering the cloves are loosened.
- Toast your garlic bulbs over a heated pan. Once you see some charring, remove and set aside.
- Toast your white peppercorn over a heated pan. When the aroma starts to fill the air, remove and set aside.
- Blanch the baby pork ribs. Place them in boiling water and let the pork ribs sit for a few of minutes. You’re not cooking them yet. You’re getting rid of the impurities such as the excess fat, or coagulated blood (These are the bits that rise to the surface of the pot) This is an important step if you want a clear broth after. Remove the pork ribs from the water, rinse with tap water and set aside. Discard the water.
- Add the blanched pork ribs, toasted garlic bulbs, white peppercorn and your Bak Kut Teh spice mix into the pot. Cover with water.
- Bring the pot to a boil. Turn down the heat and let it simmer for two hours.
- Periodically, skim the surface of the soup to remove any additional impurities you may see.
- After an hour, check that the pork ribs are well cooked and tender.
- Like any chef would recommend, Taste! Does the soup need more salt? If so, add a dash of dark soy sauce. This will also give the soup a richer colour. If you want a broth that is lighter, try using salt or light soy sauce.
- When you’re happy with the flavours, it is time to serve! Pick out your pork ribs and place them in a small serving bowl. Add soup. For extra punch and colour, create a dip with sliced your red chill with a drizzle of dark soy sauce
If your bowl of soup leaves you wanting more, check out Bak Kut Teh by the professionals. Grab a takeaway from these established stores. Don’t just order a bowl of soup, get some dough fritters and salted vegetables for the full experience:
Tag on our social media channels and let us know if you’ve successfully created your very own bowl! :)
You also can join the #StayHomeWithAscott campaign with Ascott. Capture and post your stay-home cooking/baking moments on Instagram and CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), the philanthropic arm of Ascott’s parent company CapitaLand Limited, will donate US$10. Pledge and #StayHomeWithAscott from 20 April to 31 May!
For more details, visit: https://www.the-ascott.com/en/stayhomewithascott.html
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh
The impeccable balance of spices that complements the white peppery flavor of Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh will keep you returning for more
Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh
Lian Peng Bak Kut Teh Restaurant boasts the traditional Teochew-style of Bak Kut Teh. Don't miss out on their Braised Duck & Braised Pork Trotters too.
New Man Lee Bak Kut Teh
New Man Lee Bak Kut Teh serves up aromatic Bak Kut Teh in two ways: Black herbal, with the fragrance of garlic & star anise, & White Pepper, with a mild kick of heat.
There's more! If you're not a fan of spice, try the herbal version of Bak Kut Teh at New Man Lee Bak Kut Teh.