Mouth-watering Caramel Pork Ribs

Caramel Pork Ribs

¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar

¾ cup beer (we used Leffe Blonde; you use whatever you like)

¼ cup bourbon

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons ketchup

½-inch piece peeled ginger root, minced

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons harissa, Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons instant espresso powder (optional)

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 pounds pork ribs, cut into 3- or 4-rib portions

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

To make the caramel, spread the granulated sugar in an even layer over the bottom of a large pot with a cover, such as a roasting pan or a Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat, undisturbed, until the sugar starts to melt around the edges.

Once the liquefied sugar starts to darken to a pale copper color, gently stir the sugar to the center of the pot and continue to cook, stirring until the sugar is completely moistened. Cook, stirring infrequently, until all of it is a deep copper-colored liquid, similar in color to dark maple syrup, and smoking but not burnt. Turn off the heat and stir in the brown sugar, then carefully add the beer; it will bubble up and steam. The mixture will seize and harden, but this is okay.

Let the mixture cool for a minute or so, then stir in the bourbon, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, ginger, soy sauce, harissa or Sriracha, mustard, instant espresso (if using) and pepper. Put the ribs in the pot and turn on the heat until the sauce boils and bubbles up. Turn the ribs a few times in the liquid to coat evenly. Cover and transfer to the oven; roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours, until the ribs are tender but not falling off the bone. Two or three times during roasting, remove the pot from the oven and turn the ribs over.

Uncover and continue to roast, turning the ribs a few times, for 30 minutes or until the juices have thickened a bit and the sauce has created a glaze on the ribs.

Skim any visible fat from the surface of the sauce. Transfer ribs to a platter and serve hot or at room temperature with some of the sauce drizzled over them.

Serves 4 to 6.

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