- 4 (3-inch cut) short ribs
- 8 ancho chiles, veins removed and seeded
- 1 pound onions, cut into quarters
- 5 cloves garlic
- 3 ounces piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar)
- 1 quart beer or pulque
- 1/2 cup agave nectar
- 1/2 cup tequila
- 1 ounce lard
- 3 maguey or agave leaves
- 4 cactus paddles, trimmed of spines
- Frijoles de la Olla
- Tortillas
- Special equipment: Spice grinder
- Trim excess fat from short ribs then cut between the bones.
- In a saucepan over moderate heat, dry-roast the chiles. Transfer to a spice grinder and grind into a powder.
- In the same saucepan, dry-roast the onions and garlic. Transfer to a blender, add the piloncillo, beer or pulque, agave, tequila, and the powdered chiles, and process until smooth.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the lard and fry the chile mixture. Season with salt and let cool. Coat the meat with the chile mixture, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and arrange a steamer in a roasting pan.
- In a saucepan over moderate heat, dry-roast the maguey or agave leaves. Transfer to the roasting pan on the steamer and top with 2 cactus paddles. Place the ribs with the marinade on top and cover with the remaining 2 cactus paddles. Cover the pan with foil or a lid and bake until the ribs are fork tender, 3 to 4 hours, checking the water level every 30 minutes and adding 1/2 cup of water when it gets very low.
- Transfer the short ribs to a serving platter. Slice the cactus paddles into strips and place them on top of the ribs. Serve with Frijoles de la Olla and tortillas.