Monday, October 13, 2008

ALE-SAUCED PORK RIBS AND VEGETABLES


Sometimes a recipe just pops out at you and you know it's going to be good. I've learned to trust my instincts when it comes to culling recipes from the many books, newspapers, magazines, and internet sources out there. Since discovering crockpot cookery, I've been on the lookout for good recipes to try and came across one in our local newspaper recently. What I especially liked was that there was no pre-browning (I hate dirtying an additional pot). You do need to plan this out because it requires a day of marinating. Marinating foods before slow cooking allows the seasonings to develop more fully. You can get away with a few hours of marinating, but I think a full day is better.


I followed the recipe exactly--this time--but will probably cut the cooking time by a half hour or so next time since the ribs looked done before I shut off the crockpot and will use regular carrots and not baby carrots since I prefer their texture. The dish was cooked perfectly and reheated beautifully and without drying out. In fact, I forgot to take a photo the first night; these were Larry's leftovers the next night.


MARINATE

2 1/2 - 3 lbs bone-in country style pork ribs

1 12-oz bottle dark ale or stout (( used Fosters)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbs lemon peel, grated or shredded

1 tbs dried rosemary, crushed

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground pepper


Place ribs in a large, self-sealing plastic bag set in a shallow dish. Add all marinade ingredients, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.


COOK

1/2 lb small red or Yukon potatoes

12 oz fresh carrots, cut into pieces


Place potatoes and carrots in bottom of a 5-6 qt crockpot. Transfer ribs to bed of vegetables. Pour ale marinade over all. Cover and cook on high heat about 4 hours (or low heat for 8-9 hours).


FINISH

2 tbs cornstarch

1/4 cup water, if necessary


Remove pork and vegetables from crockpot. Measure and strain 2 cups of cooking liquid (use some water, if needed). Add cornstarch to water, mixing to make a slurry. Add strained liquid to a medium saucepan and stir in slurry over medium heat. Cook until thick and bubbly. Serve sauce with ribs and vegetables.


I think this recipe and method would work equally well with beef short ribs.


5 comments:

  1. This looks so good! I think I need a crockpot.

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  2. Yum!!! I haven't used our crockpot as extensive as I could. I'm going to try this next time I buy pork ribs, but I'll make my own barbecue sauce recipe. I don't like the flavor of anything alcoholic, even though the alcohol cooks out. Charlie would like your recipe better because of the ale.
    Love, Peg

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  3. I'm so glad fall is finally here. Right now we're having a bit of a warm spell, but as soon as it gets colder I'm brining out the crock pot! Since I get home late it's so nice to come home to a waiting dinner. I'm so glad you've got some yummy looking recipes on here. I have a crock pot cook book, but so far nothing I've made out of it has impressed me. Can't wait to try this though!

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  5. Your ribs look delicious! I need to get the crockpot out this week I think! Thanks for stopping by my blog and the nice comments. I got a chance to sneak a peek at yours and I am jealous you live in a log cabin! Your recipes look great--I am now craving pea soup and mojito chicken!

    Aloha!

    Deb

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