Asian Sweet & Spicy Ribs

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 to 2 pounds beef Country Style Ribs
• 1 cup mirin
• 1/2 cup sweet chili garlic sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup agave nectar or honey
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
• Hot cooked rice (optional)

Cooking:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine mirin, sweet chili garlic sauce, water, agave nectar, brown sugar and ginger in stockpot over medium heat stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Place beef ribs in stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly. Continue cooking in 325°F oven 1-3/4 to 2 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
2. Remove beef; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook 12 to 15 minutes or until sauce is reduced by half. Stir in lime juice and soy sauce. Return beef to cooking liquid; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Cook's Tip: Mirin is a low-alcohol, sweet wine made from glutinous rice and is essential in Japanese cooking.  It's available in Japanese markets and the ethnic section of most supermarkets.
3. Serve ribs with rice and remaining sauce, if desired.
Cook's Tip: Sweet chili garlic sauce, an Asian condiment made from red chilies, garlic and vinegar, imparts a tangy, spicy heat to dishes. Chili garlic sauce is available in Asian markets and the Asian section of most supermarkets.

Alternate Cooking Method

1. To cook in a slow cooker, combine mirin, sweet chili garlic sauce, agave nectar, brown sugar and ginger in 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 quart slow cooker, stirring until sugar dissolves. Place beef ribs in slow cooker. Cook on HIGH 4 to 6 hours or on LOW 8 to 10 hours, or until beef is fork tender. (No stirring is necessary during cooking.) Remove beef; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Transfer cooking liquid to a sauce pan and bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook 12 to 15 minutes or until sauce is reduced by half. Stir in lime juice and soy sauce. Return beef to cooking liquid; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve ribs with rice and remaining sauce, if desired.
2. Recipe can be made in a 6-quart electric pressure cooker. Place beef ribs in pressure cooker. Add 1/2 cup water. Close and lock pressure cooker lid. Use beef, stew or high-pressure setting on pressure cooker; program 60 minutes on pressure cooker timer. Meanwhile, combine mirin, chili garlic sauce, agave nectar, brown sugar, ginger, lime juice and soy sauce in large saucepan. Simmer 20 minutes. Use quick release to release pressure; carefully remove lid. Return beef to cooking liquid; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve ribs with rice and remaining sauce, if desired. (This recipe variation was tested in an electric pressure cooker at high altitude. Cooking at an altitude of less than 3000 feet may require slightly less cooking time. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions.)