Written by Anita
July 1, 2009
Food & Friends’ BBQ Pork Ribs Serves 4 For the Ribs: 2 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar 1 ½ tsp. salt 2 Tbsp. paprika (not hot) 1 ½ tsp. chipotle chili powder 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin seeds 1 ½ tsp. ground coriander seeds 1 tsp. ground fennel seeds ½ tsp. black pepper 2 (2-lb) racks baby back ribs 1) Whisk together brown sugar, salt, and spices in a small bowl. 2) Line a 17x12x1 inch heavy-duty baking pan with a double layer of foil, then oil foil. 3) Pat ribs dry and arrange in baking pan. Rub ribs all over with spice mixture and marinate meaty sides up, covered and chilled, 2 ½ hours. 4) Bring ribs to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 5) Put oven rack in middle position and preheat over to 350°F. 6) Cover pan tightly with foil; bake 1 ¼ hours. Remove foil. For the Sauce: 1 ½ cups chopped onion 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 ½ cups ketchup ½ cup balsamic vinegar ½ cup water ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 1 ½ tsp. salt ¾ tsp. pepper 1) Cook onion and garlic in oil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. 2) Puree sauce in 2 or 3 batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Set aside 1 cup sauce for serving with ribs. 3) Prepare grill for cooking over indirect heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas) Grilling Procedures: To cook ribs using a charcoal or gas grill: lightly oil grill rack, then transfer ribs to specified area of rack (with no coals underneath for charcoal, over shut-off burner for gas), reserving pan juices, and grill, covered with lid, basting generously with pan juices and sauce and turning over and rotating ribs every 10 minutes (keep ribs over indirect heat), until tender and browned, 30 to 40 minutes total. Transfer ribs to a cutting board and let stand 5 minutes before cutting into individual ribs. To cook in oven: After baking ribs covered, remove top sheet of foil and continue to bake ribs, uncovered, basting generously with pan juices and sauce every 10 minutes and turning ribs every 20 minutes, 40 minutes total. The turn on broiler and broil ribs, meaty sides up, 4 to 6 inches from heat until browned, about 3 minutes.