Lemongrass and tamarind beef ribs

1.Preheat oven to 150C. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat, add ribs, turn occasionally until browned (3-5 minutes). Transfer to a deep roasting pan to fit snugly.

2.Meanwhile, for fragrant paste, process ingredients in a food processor until finely chopped, then spread over ribs. Add stock, sugar, tamarind, fish sauce and soy sauce, cover with baking paper and foil and roast until ribs are very tender (2½-3 hours).

3.Cool ribs in stock, then separate stock and ribs and refrigerate each, covered, until chilled (4 hours-overnight). Bring ribs to room temperature.

4.Skim fat from stock (discard), then reduce stock in a saucepan over medium heat to 750ml (30-40 minutes; stock should be very fragrant). Keep warm.

5.Meanwhile, for deep-fried shallots, heat oil in a deep frying pan to 180C. Add shallot, stir continuously until golden (1½-3 minutes; be careful as hot oil will spit), then strain through a metal sieve and set aside on on absorbent paper.

6.Heat a non-stick pan over high heat, add ribs and sauce and turn occasionally until warmed through (2-4 minutes). Serve hot topped with deep-fried shallots, herbs, chilli and fresh shallots, with steamed rice.