Baby Back Ribs With Spicy Apple Glaze

Emeril's Baby Back Ribs Recipes

From the kitchen of Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients

Glaze

3 cups apple cider

1 cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup apple sauce

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup ginger, thinly sliced

1/2 stick cinnamon

1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise and seeds scraped

6 cardamom pods

2 teaspoons allspice berries

1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/4 teaspoons salt

Ribs

4 to 5 pounds baby back ribs (2 full slabs, each cut in half)

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon paprika

3/4 teaspoon granulated garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion powder

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup apple cider

Cooking Directions

To make the glaze, place all of the ingredients for the glaze in a 6-quart pot and cook over medium-high heat. Bring the contents of the pot to a boil, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Once the mixture has come to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and allow the mixture to reduce to a glaze consistency, about 30 to 35 minutes longer. Remove the glaze from the stove and strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Reserve until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

Place the ribs on a large baking sheet. In a small mixing bowl, combine the kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir well to incorporate, and use 1 tablespoon of the spice rub to cover each of the racks of ribs. Rub the mixture into the meat, and allow it to sit undisturbed for at least 20 minutes.

Pour the cider into the sheet pan, and wrap the ribs with aluminum foil to make a tight seal. Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the ribs are very tender.

Remove the ribs from the oven, discard the foil and the fat and oil from the sheet pan, and allow the ribs to cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Preheat a grill to medium.

Brush the ribs with a generous coating of the glaze, about 3 tablespoons of the glaze per set of ribs. Place the ribs directly on the preheated grill, and cook until the ribs are browned and caramelized, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your grill. Be careful not to let the glaze burn from flare-ups. Remove the ribs from the grill and lay on a cutting board meaty-side down. Use a sharp knife to cut the ribs apart. Serve the ribs with some of the leftover glaze on the side, if desired.

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, Emeril's Food of Love Productions, 2006