Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs

Who says that ribs have to be BBQ'd? They do not always have to be. This recipe that I found at www.cooks.com is fantastic. It is Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs and it is good in the oven and equally good in the crock pot.

To do this recipe in the crock pot, you just cut up the ribs into serving size pieces (also small enough to fit comfortably in the crock pot since a slab will not fit), make the sauce, then combine them both in the crock pot; then turn it on low for about 6-8 hours. This makes the meat just fall off the bones.

The other way is in the oven which is equally as good and doesn't take as much time. This recipe is very easy and anyone could do it. We have this as a meal with some sticky rice and eggrolls; or potstickers are good with it too. Stir fry up some of your favorite vegetables and it makes a fantastic Asian meal the whole family will love.

Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs



3 lb slab of pork spare ribs, cut into serving size pieces
2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp dry mustard
2/3 cup vinegar
1 C. crushed pineapple (8 oz can)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup finely chopped onion

Spread ribs in single layer, meaty side up in large shallow pan. Brown in 425 degree oven for 20-30 minutes. Drain off fat. Combine all remaining ingredients in a saucepan and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat until thick and glossy, stirring constantly. Sprinkle salt and pepper over browned ribs. Spoon sweet and sour sauce over each piece, using half the sauce. Reduce oven temperature to 350 and bake for 45 minutes. Turn ribs, cover with remaining sauce and bake for 30 minutes more or until well done. Serves 4.

Check out this picture of the finished dinner; notice the chunks of pineapple and onion in this wonderful thick sweet and sour sauce. (makes your mouth water, doesn't it? It sure does mine just typing this haha) It is so yummy on rice, as a dip for the eggrolls, or just more sauce on the ribs. This has become one of my family's favorite meals since we really like Asian food.