Labor Day Dino Ribs

Beef Ribs for the Barbecue

From the kitchen of Steven Raichlen

Ingredients

Ribs

2 racks beef ribs (2 1/2 to 3 pounds each)

4 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder

1 tablespoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons garlic powder

Basting Mixture/Sauce

2/3 cup hoison sauce

1/4 cup rice wine (sake or dry sherry), or more if needed

2 tablespoons honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated

Cooking Directions

Rinse the ribs under cold running water and blot dry with paper towels. Combine the five spice powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Place the ribs in a large baking dish and rub all over with the mixture. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for at least 1 hour, ideally 4 to 6 hours.

Combine the hoison sauce, rice wine, honey, garlic, and ginger in a bowl and whisk to mix. Add rice wine as needed to thin the sauce to basting consistency. Set aside about 1/2 cup to use for serving.

Set up the grill for indirect cooking placing a drip pan in the center. If using a charcoal grill preheat to medium. If using a gas grill, place all the chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high. When the smoke box appears, lower the heat to medium.

When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss half the wood chips on the coals. For both gas and charcoal, oil the grill grate. Place the ribs on the hot grate over the drip pan and cover the grill. Cook the ribs for 1 hour. If using a charcoal grill, add 10 to 12 fresh coals per side and toss the remaining wood chips on the fire. Continue cooking the ribs until done, 30 minutes to 1 hour longer. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and it has shrunk back from the ends of the bones. Start basting the ribs with the hoison mixture the last 30 minutes. ( Baste several times, giving the ribs one final brushing just before serving.) Serve the ribs accompanied by the reserved sauce.