Sweet short ribs, perfect for a party

Dear SOS: My wife and I had dinner last week at Sage on the Coast in Newport Beach. The Asian barbecue short ribs were delicious. I’d like to make them at home. Could you get the recipe for me?

Bob Foutz

Huntington Beach

Dear Bob: These tasty Korean-style short ribs are a perfect appetizer when you’re entertaining with little time to spare. Simply marinate the ribs the night before in a lively soy marinade flavored with brown sugar, red wine, ginger, garlic and a little sesame oil. Just before serving, char the beef quickly over a hot grill, then slice and serve with a sweet and spicy Thai dipping sauce. You’ll have happy guests in almost no time.

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Grilled Asian beef short rib appetizer

Total time: 25 minutes, plus overnight marinating time for the ribs

Servings: 6 to 8

Note: Adapted from Sage on the Coast

Thai sweet and spicy sauce

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup white vinegar

2 teaspoons chile paste

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup water

1. Combine the sugar, vinegar, chile paste, garlic, salt and water. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until needed. This makes three-fourths cup of sauce and will keep, refrigerated, for 5 days.

Short ribs and assembly

2 pounds boneless beef short ribs no thicker than 1/2 -inch

2 cups soy sauce

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 tablespoons dry red wine

2 tablespoons toasted ground sesame seeds, divided

3 tablespoons sesame oil

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons minced green onion, divided

1 tablespoon chopped ginger

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

Thai sweet and spicy sauce

1. Combine the beef in a sealable plastic bag with the soy sauce, sugar, wine, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, sesame oil, one-fourth cup green onion, the ginger and garlic. Close and shake the bag to evenly distribute the contents. Refrigerate overnight.

2. Heat a grill over high heat until hot. Remove the meat from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill the beef 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side for medium-doneness, or to taste. Remove and allow to rest a few minutes.

3. Slice the beef crosswise into one-fourth- to one-half-inch strips. Plate each serving with a side of the dipping sauce, sprinkling additional green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the beef for garnish. Serve immediately.

Each of 8 servings: 247 calories; 17 grams protein; 20 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 11 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 46 mg. cholesterol; 1376 mg. sodium.