Beef Ribs Pochero (Tomato Based Beef Stew with Bananas)

Another favorite! That brings me to about what number now, in my list of favorites? LOL! But yes, this is one of my all-time favorite dishes. It is a full dish with meat and various vegetables and the sweet banana-infused flavor makes it so much more special than other dishes. I remember as a kid always looking for Pochero during town fiestas, specially when it had been cooked outdoors on open fire and in those big pans we cal "tulyasi", I just love the smoky flavor in the dish. 
Of course this time, I could not recreate that "smoky flavor" using a gas range, but that's not to say that the dish would be other than flavorful, it is actually. I also wish that you could get some Philippine plantain bananas (or saging na saba as we call it) here in Qatar as these are the one best suited for the dish at it is firm specially when fried before adding in the simmering sauce. But since it is not available in the Qatar market (or maybe I am just not aware where I could get it, so paging any reader from Qatar, please do tell if you are party to this secret! haha! -- I promise to send you a warm bowl of pochero :)), I have just opted to use the Indian Bananas, widely available in all supermarkets, this one is quite delicate so once the bananas had already been added, avoid from stirring it too much as this type easily softens and disintegrates with too much stirring. 

Ingredients:
1.5kg Beef Ribs (pre-cooked and tenderized in pressure cooker for 1/2 hour with salt, black peppers and onions. Set aside about 2-3 cups from the broth to use for the sauce later on)
1/2 cup baked beans in tomato sauce
250gms Tomato Sauce
1 tbs tomato paste
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbs refined sugar
fish sauce and pepper to taste
4 tbs cooking oil
2 cups beef broth (from tenderizing the beef)
6 cloves ginger, finely chopped
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 head small cabbage, quartered
1 big carrot, sliced 
2 carrots, sliced
4 Indian bananas, sliced
1 bell pepper, sliced
1/4 cup garbanzos (chickpeas)
1/4 cup green peas


Method:
Heat oil in a pan then adjust to low to fry all vegetables separately. Remove from pan and set aside.
Reduce oil in the pan, add garlic and saute until soft and lightly brown (do not roast), then add the onion. Continue saute cooking until onions are soft and translucent. 
Add the beef, saute for 2-3 minutes then add the soy sauce, baked beans and tomato paste. Saute for about 5 minutes then add half of the fried bananas, garbanzos, green peas, tomato sauce, sugar and 1 cup beef broth. Simmer for 8-10mins. 
Check and adjust taste with fish sauce, pepper and sugar. 
Add the rest of the vegetables and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Add broth slowly to adjust sauce consistency as to your preference. Again check and adjust taste with fish sauce, pepper and sugar. Simmer until desired consistency of sauce is achieved.
Turn off heat. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with hot rice. Enjoy!