Ingredients

  • 5 pounds short ribs
  • 1 tablespoon chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 large onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 large carrots, peeled, roughly chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 3 large slices ginger
  • 4 whole Thai bird chiles
  • 2 cups dry red wine
  • 1 cup sweet soy sauce (kechap manis)
  • 1/2 cup dark soy sauce
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 to 2 quarts water to cover
  • 1/2 cup chopped scallions
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Canola oil to cook
  • 1/2 to 2/3 cup lard or duck fat/vegetable shortening
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 cups masa harina
  • 1 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 2/3 cup water plus extra
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • Corn husks, soaked and/or banana leaves
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 sweet potatoes*, fine 1/8-inch dice
  • 2 minced shallots
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock

Method

  • Mix chile powder, coriander and cumin.
  • Season the ribs with salt and pepper and rub the spice mix all over.
  • On a hot, oiled grill, grill the ribs until all sides are well browned.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium stock pot, coat with oil and brown onions, carrots, garlic, ginger and chiles.
  • Deglaze with wine and reduce by 50 percent.
  • Add back the ribs, soy sauces, thyme and water to cover.
  • Check for seasoning.
  • The flavor of the liquid will be the ultimate flavor of the ribs.
  • Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until meat is tender and falling off of the bone.
  • Remove ribs from liquid.
  • Strain liquid and reduce by 20 percent.
  • Return ribs to sauce, keep hot and add scallions and cilantro
  • Use a mixer fitted with a paddle at high speed and beat lard with baking powder until fluffy.
  • While still beating, add masa and ginger powder gradually.
  • Slowly add the water and salt.
  • Final consistency should be of soft cake batter and shape should hold a spoon.
  • Test: float a teaspoon of the mix in water.
  • Fold in sweet potatoes*.
  • Fold tamales like usual, and place in a bamboo steamer.
  • Steam until coo
  • In a non-stick skillet melt butter and saute the potatoes, shallots and season.
  • Deglaze with wine and reduce completely.
  • Add a little of the stock at a time, waiting for it to be fully absorbed before adding more.
  • Cook until tender-firm.
  • Check for