Have a Coke and Gooi Mielies!

Okay, we’re not suggesting you’ve run out of Kleinboet but this recipe – Beef Ribs roasted in a Coke based marinade – makes for a mouthwatering Lockdown winter dinner. Turn home into your own restaurant where you are welcome to enjoy your favourite tipple in a red wine glass ... How to get the most enjoyment when facing marinated Beef Rib and Mielies on the cob?  Don a bib, make sure your hands are clean and tuck in ... Smile Mêrim Smile!

Recipe

For the marinade you’ll need ...

• A knob of butter
• 1 Large onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
• A knob of ginger, finely grated
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 2 x 500ml cans of Coke
• ¾ cup tomato sauce
• ¾ cup chutney
• 2 Tbsp soya sauce
• juice of 1 lime

The Ribs

• 6 large beef short ribs
• Salt and pepper
• Canola oil, for frying
• 5 cloves garlic
• 5 sprigs of thyme
• 6 cups good quality beef stock

The Mielies

• 3 mielies, cut into quarters
• 100 g butter, melted
• Small handful of chives

How to ...

The Ribs

• Preheat the oven to 180 °C
• Season the beef well with salt and pepper
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat
• Sear the beef, all round two pieces at a time
• For extra flavour: sear the beef as you would a steak
• The better the crust the better the flavour
• The garlic and thyme goes into a large roasting tray and the ribs on top.
• Add the stock until the ribs are almost half covered
• Seal tightly with heavy duty foil and braise in the oven for 2 hours
• Two hours later, check the ribs, not fork tender braise for 30-45 mins more
• When fork tender remove from oven and allow to cool.

The Mielies

• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, boil the mielies in salted water for 10 minutes
• Drain off water, add butter and chives to saucepan, toss to coat the mielies and set aside

To serve

• Remove the ribs from cooking liquid, paint with the marinade and finish over the braai or grill to caramelise

Sanitise hands. Fill your glasses. Bib-up, Cheer-up, Tuck-in and Enjoy!