A Recipe

We love every moment we're in Polynesia, but we do miss grocery stores. Just simple things: cold cut ham to make sandwiches, granola bars, yogurt. Mushrooms. Canned soup. Chocolate. 

This is a poor nation, divided from the world by unfathomable leagues of endless ocean. Here in Tonga, you get what you get. This is all there is.

We don’t have an oven, nor do we have much choice, so we’ve had to be creative with our cooking. 

The “butcher” in town (actually a lady that sells frozen meat from her deep-freeze) gave us a recipe to cook pork ribs if all you have is a pot and a stove, which we do. Here it is.

POLYNESIAN STICKY RIBS

You will need:

Pork ribs
8 c water
2-3 tbsp soy sauce
2-3 tbsp brown sugar
Chopped garlic

Bring a pot of water to boil. Let the ribs simmer in the water for about an hour or until very tender. Drain most of the water, then add soy sauce, sugar and garlic. Stir occasionally and allow to reduce, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky.

Voila – sweet and salty sticky ribs, island style. Astoundingly delicious.