Costillas Guisadas

These pork spare ribs are slow-simmered until fall-apart tender in a rich, savory Dominican sauce. That touch of browned sugar gives it the deep color and flavor we all know and love. Spoon it over white rice and let the sauce do its thing.

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Table of Contents

• Ingredients

• Step-by-Step Instructions

• Notes from My Kitchen

Ingredients

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• 2 lbs pork spare ribs

• 2 tbsp sofrito

• 1 tbsp garlic paste

• 1 tbsp olives

• 1 tbsp adobo

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1–2 tbsp oil

• 1 tsp sugar

• 2½ cups water (divided)

• 1 heaping tbsp tomato paste

• ½ red onion, sliced

• ½ bell pepper, sliced

• Fresh cilantro

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Step-by-Step Instructions

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1. Season & marinate

   In a bowl, combine pork ribs with sofrito, garlic paste, olives, adobo, and Worcestershire sauce. Toss well and marinate for 1 hour.

2. Start the browning process

   In a pot over medium-high heat, add oil and sugar. Allow the sugar to brown.

3. Brown the ribs

   Add the ribs to the pot and let them brown for 1–2 minutes. Flip and brown the other side.

4. First simmer

   Add 2 cups of water to the leftover seasoning bowl, swirl to capture the flavor, and pour over the ribs. Lower the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

5. Add tomato paste & vegetables

   Stir the ribs. Add tomato paste and combine. Add red onion and bell pepper.
   Raise the heat to high and cover for 20 minutes.

6. Final simmer

   Stir again. Add ½ cup of water and fresh cilantro on top. Cover on high for another 10 minutes.

7. Finish

   Stir once more. The ribs should be tender and saucy. Sprinkle additional fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes from My Kitchen

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1. Browning sugar adds depth and color.

2. Swirling water in the seasoning bowl keeps all the flavor.

3. These should be tender and coated in sauce — not dry.

Yield: 5

Author: Michelle Disla

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Costillas Guisadas

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 50 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 2 Hour

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Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork spare ribs
• 2 tbsp sofrito
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• 1 tbsp olives
• 1 tbsp adobo
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1–2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2½ cups water (divided)
• 1 heaping tbsp tomato paste
• ½ red onion, sliced
• ½ bell pepper, sliced
• Fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine pork ribs with sofrito, garlic paste, olives, adobo, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Toss well and marinate for 1 hour.
3. In a pot over medium-high heat, add oil and sugar.
4. Allow the sugar to brown.
5. Add the ribs to the pot and let them brown for 1–2 minutes.
6. Flip and brown the other side.
7. Add 2 cups of water to the leftover seasoning bowl, swirl to capture the flavor, and pour over the ribs.
8. Lower the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
9. Stir the ribs.
10. Add tomato paste and combine.
11. Add red onion and bell pepper.
12. Raise the heat to high and cover for 20 minutes.
13. Stir again.
14. Add ½ cup of water and fresh cilantro on top.
15. Cover on high for another 10 minutes.
16. Stir once more. The ribs should be tender and saucy.
17. Sprinkle additional fresh cilantro before serving.

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