Oven-Braised Country Style Gluten-Free Pork Ribs With Apple Cider

Celiac.com 03/12/2024 - Slow braising in apple cider at low temperature turns these country-style bone-in pork ribs into sweet, tender and delicious things of beauty. Be ready for the meat to slide right off the bone, and be ready for plenty of clean plates and smiles.

Ingredients:

• 3½ to 4 pounds bone-in country-style pork ribs, or about 2 to 2½ pounds boneless
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped or sliced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ cup apple cider
• ¼ cup cider vinegar
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

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Directions:
Gather all ingredients.

Heat the oven to 300F (150 C/Gas 2).

Sprinkle the pork ribs with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ribs, in batches if necessary, and sear on all sides. Remove to a plate and set aside. 

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring until onion is translucent and lightly browned. Add the minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes longer.

Add the ribs back to the pan. In a bowl, combine the cider, vinegar, chicken broth, and tomato paste; blend well. Add the bay leaves and thyme; pour over the ribs. Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 3 hours, or until very tender. 

Skim the fat from the juices and remove bay leaves. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed. If desired, thicken the juices (see note below).

Serve the ribs with the vegetables and juices, along with boiled or mashed potatoes.

Note: To thicken the juices, combine 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, stirring until smooth. Bring the skimmed juices to a simmer on the stovetop; stir in the corn starch mixture and cook, stirring, until thickened.