Country-style Ribs and Sauerkraut

Ingredients

• pork country-style ribs

  trimmed of extra fat, cut into 3 – 4 inch pieces
  1½ to 2 lbs
• just a little olive oil
  1 unit
• clove garlic

  minced
  1 large
• shallot - optional

  I had a half in the fridge
  ½ unit
• onion

  sliced
  ½ large
• sauerkraut - which had been in the freezer

  half of a qt.package, drain and save the liquid from the sauerkraut
  2 cups
• brown sugar
  1 tbsp
• salt
  ½ tbsp
• freshly ground black pepper
  1 unit
• caraway seeds
  1 unit
• sauerkraut juice - saved from draining the sauerkraut
  ½ cup
• apple juice
  ½ cup
• water
  ½ cup
• medium-large Yukon Gold potato

  peeled and cut 4 pieces
  1 unit
• carrot

  peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
  1 large
• a sprinkle of dried thyme

  about ½ tbsp which could be omitted if you don't like thyme
  1 unit