Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Brush the grill grates with oil before cooking to prevent the meat from sticking.

- Let grilled meat rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute evenly.

- Baste the meat with oil or marinade while grilling to keep it moist and flavorful.

- Cook tomato-based pork stews until the oil rises to the surface for concentrated flavor.

Cooking Tips

Let the meat rest at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before grilling so it cooks evenly from edge to center. Baste the marinade on during the last few minutes of grilling — applying it too early can char the sugars and create bitter flavors. Check liquid levels halfway through cooking and add hot water or broth if needed. Long-cooked dishes can dry out or burn if left unattended.

Ingredient Substitutions

Pork alternatives: Chicken thighs work well in most pork recipes (they stay moist like pork does). For a leaner option, use turkey breast or firm tofu. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Grilled St. Louis Style Ribs with Ensaladang Talong and Bagoong

Grilled St. Louis Style Ribs with Ensaladang Talong and Bagoong

Metro Manila, NCR

Eggplant marinated and grilled to perfection — smoky, charred, and succulent. A Filipino barbecue-style preparation.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 150 min Total: 165 min Medium Serves 9

Instructions

  1. Combine all the rub ingredients. Mix well.
  2. Rub the mixture all over the spare ribs. Let is stay for 10 minutes.
  3. Heat the grill to 250F (we need to grill this in low heat for best results). Grill one side for 1 1/2 hours. Turn the ribs over to grill the other side. continue to grill for 1 hour.
  4. Take off from the grill. Let it rest for 15 minutes. Slice the ribs.
  5. Serve with eggplant salad and shrimp paste -- and rice, of course.

Kitchen Tools We Recommend

Cook Grilled St. Louis Style Ribs with Ensaladang Talong and Bagoong the easy way with the right tools. Shop our favorite kitchen essentials on Amazon — from reliable pots and pans to measuring tools that make Filipino cooking simpler.

🔥 Trending on Amazon right now — these products are selling fast. Check out what's climbing the charts.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Brush the grill grates with oil before cooking to prevent the meat from sticking.
- Let grilled meat rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute evenly.
- Baste the meat with oil or marinade while grilling to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Cook tomato-based pork stews until the oil rises to the surface for concentrated flavor.

Cooking Tips

Let the meat rest at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before grilling so it cooks evenly from edge to center.
Baste the marinade on during the last few minutes of grilling — applying it too early can char the sugars and create bitter flavors.
Check liquid levels halfway through cooking and add hot water or broth if needed. Long-cooked dishes can dry out or burn if left unattended.

Substitutions

Pork alternatives: Chicken thighs work well in most pork recipes (they stay moist like pork does). For a leaner option, use turkey breast or firm tofu.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
G

Lola Nena Guerrero

Ilocano & Visayan Regional Specialties

Lola Nena Guerrero is a contributor to the UlamDaily editorial team. Born in Laoag and raised in Cebu, she brings decades of home cooking experience preserving Ilocano and Visayan regional recipes that have been passed down through her family.

Comments (0)

Leave a comment