Veal Spare Ribs Braised in Cider with a Salad of Crisp Peppers

Ingredients

• 3 kg (6 lb) Quebec Veal spare ribs, in 6 sections
• Sunflower oil, as needed
• 3 strips of bacon, each cut into 6 pieces
• 1 white onion, quartered
• 3 Cortland apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 250 ml (1 cup) cider or appel juice
• 250 ml (1 cup) veal stock
• 250 ml (1 cup) chicken stock
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) whole grain mustard
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) apple jelly

Salad of Crisp Peppers

• 2 hot red chilli peppers, seeded and sliced length-wise
• 1 hot green pepper, seeded and sliced length-wise
• 1/2 orange pepper, julienned
• 1/2 red pepper, julienned
• 1/2 yellow pepper, julienned
• 6 large leaves of basil, minced
• 30 stems of fresh coriander
• 1/2 Cortland apple, with skin, julienned
• 4 handfuls of baby spinach leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A little olive oil

Preparation

1. Oven temperature: 170°C (325°F).
2. Heat 30 ml (2 tbsp) oil in large skillet. Brown rack of veal a few minutes per side, in three batches. Reserve.
3. Place bacon in casserole and pour in dollop of oil. Heat over medium high heat and let bacon cook until the bottom of the casserole is covered in oil. Add onions and apple and sauté for 10 minutes. Add cider, veal stock, chicken stock, whole grain mustard and half the apple jelly. Bring to boil. Add spare ribs. Cover and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the ribs are very tender.
4. Transfer ribs to oiled baking sheet. Brush with remaining apple jelly. Return to oven for 20 minutes. While the ribs are in the oven, purée the mixture in the casserole until it is very smooth. Reduce sauce over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until thick and creamy.
5. Heat 60 ml (1/4 cup) oil in a large skillet. Toss in all the peppers, and sauté until nicely browned and crisp. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Add the basil, coriander, julienned apples and spinach. Season with salt and pepper. Add a little olive oil, and toss.
6. Once the veal spare ribs are out of the oven, cut the ribs between the rib bones and arrange pieces on serving plates. Add some of the sauce and a mound of the pepper salad. Serve immediately.