Saturday, June 27, 2009

Pork Country Ribs

2 lb country pork ribs
1/2 t salt
1/2 t ground pepper
1 T olive oil
1/4 c ketchup
1/2 t liquid smoke
1 T fish sauce
2 T brown sugar
2 T cider vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 t oregano
1/8 t Thai chili spice or cayenne pepper

Heat the oven to 225ºF. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium temperature. Use 1/2 of the salt and pepper to season one side the ribs. When the oil begins to smoke, put ribs, seasoned side down, in the dutch oven. Use the remaining salt and pepper to season the top side of the ribs. Fry the ribs for about five minutes, then turn, and continue to fry for another four to five minutes.

While the ribs are frying, mix all of the remaining ingredients. Remove the ribs from the heat. Brush the top of the ribs with the sauce, and turn the ribs over. Brush the other side of the ribs.

Cover the dutch oven, and bake the ribs for an hour.

Uncover the ribs and pour off and reserve accumulated liquid. Turn the ribs, brush them with the remaining sauce, cover the dutch oven, and continue to bake for another hour.

Remove the ribs from the oven. Add any additional accumulated liquid to the reserved liquid. Cover the dutch oven, and set the ribs aside while preparing the sauce.

Skim the fat from the liquid. In a small skillet, boil the liquid over medium high heat until it is reduced by about half. It will be slightly thickened.

Remove the ribs to a serving dish. Spoon the sauce over the ribs.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Phillip's Rum Punch

I tasted this in the Caribbean, and it reminds me of a boat undersail and a glass of libation in hand.

1 part coconut or white rum
1 part amber or medium rum
3 parts pineapple/orange or tropical juice
1 part sour mix
enough grenadine to give some color
bitters to taste
orange or grapefruit zest (optional)