Roasted Baby Back Ribs

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups mild to hot paprika
• 1/2 cup dry mustard
• 1/4 cup garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• Beer as necessary to form a smooth paste
• 4 slabs baby back ribs, about 1 1/4 pounds each trimmed weight
• Sauce to taste*
• Sauce*
• (Taken from a "Southern Recipes" cookbook for Barbecues Spareribs.
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon bacon fat or butter
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 to 2 teaspoons

Directions

In a medium bowl, sift together the paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and ginger.

In a small bowl, combine the honey, red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Slowly stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, adding your favorite beer as necessary until a thick smooth paste is formed.

Rub the spice mixture generously across all surfaces of the ribs. Place ribs arch side up in a roasting pan without overlapping. Allow to marinate for about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the roasting pan on the lower rack of the oven, cooking ribs until tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Test doneness by inserting a skewer into the meat; it should meet with little or no resistance. Remove ribs from the oven and allow to rest for about 15 minutes before serving, or wrap each individually with foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. (Reheat the ribs by baking in a 350-degree oven in the foil until hot, about 20 to 30 minutes. Unwrap the ribs and serve or continue with recipe).

Preheat the grill for a smoky finish. Place the ribs on the grill, arch side down, cooking until slightly charred, about 5 to 10 minutes. Turn over for a couple of minutes and serve.

Cut the slab or ribs into three sections and arrange slightly overlapping on the serving plates. Spoon a little of your favorite barbecue sauce over the ribs or on the side.

*Barbecue Sauce
Cook onion in butter or bacon drippings for 5 minutes; then add remaining ingredients, mix well, simmer for 5 minutes.

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Submitted By: Linda Wilson
lwilson@gatecom.com
Roasted Baby Back Ribs