Braised Pork Ribs (Adobo Huasteco)
- 1 cup water
- 2 pounds pork spareribs, cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces
- Kosher salt
- 4 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
- 4 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 5 whole cloves
- 5 unpeeled garlic cloves
- Bring the water to a boil in a large heavy casserole.
- Season the spareribs with 2 teaspoons of salt.
- Add them to the casserole and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the water has evaporated and the ribs have rendered some of their fat, about 30 minutes.
- Continue to cook the ribs, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp, 10 to 15 minutes longer.
- Meanwhile, bring the stock to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
- Remove from the heat.
- Heat a medium cast-iron skillet or griddle.
- Add the ancho chiles and cook over moderate heat, pressing lightly with a wooden spoon, until pliable and slightly blistered, about 30 seconds per side.
- Add the chiles to the hot stock and let stand until softened, at least 20 minutes.
- Scatter the cloves in the same skillet and cook until fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds.
- Transfer to a plate to cool, then grind to a powder.
- Scatter the garlic cloves in the skillet and cook over moderately low heat, turning, until softened throughout and browned in spots, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the garlic to a plate and let cool slightly, then peel the cloves.
- Transfer the ancho chiles and 2 cups of their broth to a blender.
- Add the ground cloves and the roasted garlic and puree until smooth.
- Pour the ancho sauce and the remaining ancho broth over the ribs in the casserole and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Cover partially and simmer over moderately low heat until the meat is tender and the sauce has reduced to 2 cups, about 45 minutes.
- Season with salt and spoon off some of the fat from the sauce.
- Transfer the ribs and sauce to a deep platter and serve.
water, pork spareribs, kosher salt, chicken stock, ancho chiles, cloves, garlic
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/braised-pork-ribs-adobo-huasteco (may not work)