Southern Style Baby Back Pork Ribs

You don’t have to dedicate your life to eating like a caveman to love a good barbeque – since the discovery of fire, roasting meat over a flame has made mouths water.

It’s fair to say that over the past couple of million years we have refined our cooking techniques, but regardless, there’s few cooking styles as popular and sociable as the good ol’ barbie.

Here’s a recipe to get your tastebuds racing.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 kg ribs, cut into four rib pieces

Dry Rub:

• 2 tbsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dry oregano
• 1 tsp celery salt
• 1 tsp chilli flakes

BBQ sauce:

• 1/2 red onion, finely copped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 125ml ketchup
• 60ml cider vinegar
• 60 ml pure maple syrup

Method:

1. Preheat a hooded BBQ grill to a low heat.
2. Combine all the ingredients for the dry rub in a bowl. Coat the ribs in the rub, then wrap 2-3 racks in foil parcels. Place the foil parcels on the grill and cover. Cook for two hours, turning every 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile combine all the sauce ingredients in a small pot with 1 cup water. Cook over a low heat for about 25 minutes, until thick. Save half for serving.
4. Remove the foil packages from the grill and increase the heat to medium and grease it. Carefully unwrap the ribs and discard the foil. Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce, then cook, basting and turning regularly for 30 minutes – until they are browned, sticky, caramelised and charred.
5. Serve on a platter, drizzled with the remaining sauce and the salad of your choice.