Serves 4
Naranja agria, the juice from Seville oranges, can be found in Hispanic food stores or in the international foods aisle of many supermarkets. You can make a good substitute from equal parts orange juice and lime juice (½ cup sweet orange juice & ½ cup lime juice)
Ingredients
- 1 rack (about 4 lbs) pork spare ribs
Rub Mixture
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
Mojo Criollo
- 12 garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped & crushed
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup naranja agria* (bitter orange juice)
John's BBQ Sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 large green pepper, coarsely chopped
- 1 large onion, peeled & coarsely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled & minced
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
- 2 (28-oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 tbsp prepared mustard
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Optional Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
How-to
Rub & Bake Ribs
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Preheat oven to 250° and prepare a baking sheet by treating it with nonstick cooking spray
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In a small bowl combine the sugar and the dry spices
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Rinse the ribs carefully and pat them dry. Generously season the ribs on both sides with the sugar and spice mix and rub it into the meat
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Place the ribs on a baking sheet and bake slowly for 1½ - 2 hours, or until tender
Make Mojo Criollo
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Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves, then press down with a knife to crush the garlic
Add salt and pepper and mash everything together using the flat side of a knife blade or a mortar and pestle. Set aside
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Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until it is fragrant
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Add the garlic mixture and cook just until the garlic is tender; be careful not to burn it
Add the orange juice, stir and bring to a boil. Once mixture reaches a boil, turn off the heat and you are done!
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Carefully transfer to serving bowl. Serve with vegetables, as a dipping sauce, or use as a wonderful marinade for meats
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Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid. It can be refrigerated for a few days
Marinate Ribs
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Remove the ribs from the oven and allow them to cool
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When cool enough to handle, cut the rack into individual ribs and place them in a large bowl, pour Mojo Criollo over them and toss to coat. Marinate overnight for best flavor
Make John's BBQ Sauce
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In a large sauce pan, heat the oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add the green pepper, onion and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes
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Reduce the heat to low, add optional seasonings and remaining ingredients, stir well, cover and cook slowly for about 1 hour.
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Remove from heat, allow to cool and store in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container. The sauce will keep for weeks in the refrigerator
Print Recipe
Posted Monday, June 21, 2010, at 5:42 am by Janet Clark:This was a delicious Father,s Day meal. The BBQ sauce is the best I've ever tasted!