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© Tina Rupp

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Sticky Barbecued Beef Ribs

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Sticky Barbecued Beef Ribs

  • staff favorite STAFF FAVORITE
ACTIVE TIME: 30 MIN
TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
MAKES 6 RIBS
These beef ribs—leftovers from the giant rib roast—are incredibly luscious. Love douses them in his sweet and tangy homemade barbecue sauce, then cooks them on the grill until they're crusty, sizzling and outrageously good.
ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large celery rib, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 ancho chiles—stemmed, seeded and cut into small pieces
  • 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
  • Salt
  • Rack of 6 ribs, at room temperature
directions
  1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the celery, carrot and onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the anchos and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the stock, ketchup, vinegar, molasses, sugar and dry mustard and simmer over moderate heat until the barbecue sauce is reduced to about 3 cups, about 30 minutes.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the sauce to the saucepan and simmer until thickened and reduced to 23/4 cups, about 5 minutes longer. Season with salt.
  3. Light a grill. Cut in between the bones to separate the rack into individual ribs. Grill the ribs over moderate heat, turning, until crusty and sizzling, about 10 minutes. Brush generously with the barbecue sauce and grill, turning, until deeply glazed, about 5 minutes longer. Serve the ribs, passing the extra sauce on the side.
WINE These ribs go well with Cabernet, but their sweet-spicy sauce works better with more affordable bottlings that have less tannin and more up-front fruit. Try the juicy 2002 Sagelands Four Corners Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State or the raspberry-rich 2003 Ravenswood Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon.