For the first time ever I decided to experiment with 5-spice powder in this Asian short ribs recipe. And what better way to incorporate this flavor than in the crock pot! In case you haven't heard me say it before - I LOVE making everything from soups to stocks to beans to dinners in my crock pot. Preparing a delicious and nutritious meal in advance that is ready and waiting for you at dinner time, keeps your house smelling amazing all day long, and usually requires minimal cleanup after eating? I am sold. Especially on those nights when the kids have early evening extracurricular activities. Crock pot dinners are the way to go in my opinion! Another great thing about this recipe, as with most Asian dishes in general, is that in case someone in your family has an allergy or sensitivity it does not contain any gluten or dairy, as long as a gluten-free soy sauce is used. You could also omit (or replace) the soy sauce topping for anyone who can't eat soy. Oh, and while we are on the topic, there are no nuts in this recipe either. So there you go...this is officially an allergy-friendly dish that everyone can enjoy together!