MARINATING SAUCE FOR RIBS RECIPES

Steps:

• First, make the marinade. Mix the spices and 3 tbsp salt in a bowl, then stir in the oil to make a paste. Use a knife to make a deep hole in each short rib, then rub the spice mix all over and into the hole, working the flavour into the meat. Place on a tray, cover and chill overnight.
• The next day, heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan, tip in the onions and fry until you start to get a deep, rich colour – about 20 mins. Don’t be scared of the colour, this will add amazing savoury sweetness to the dish. Pour in the beer and boil to reduce by half, then add the stock, treacle, thyme and oak chips, if using. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Place the marinated short ribs in your largest roasting tin. Pour over the onion and beer braising liquid, then cover tightly with foil. Transfer to the oven and cook the short ribs for 5 hrs or until really tender.
• Once the ribs are cooked, remove and put on a plate to rest and cool. Strain the braising liquid into a saucepan. Once settled, use a ladle to remove the top layer of fat, then set over a high heat. Simmer the sauce until it becomes rich and glossy, then whisk in the ketchup, mustard and brown sauce.
• To barbecue the ribs, heat your coals until ashen or set a gas barbecue to medium. Cook the ribs until nicely charred and hot all the way through, then baste with the sauce to finish and cook until sticky. To cook them indoors, heat the grill. Set a wire rack over an oven tray and place the ribs on top. Baste well with the sauce and grill, basting with the sauce a few times, until it forms a charred, sticky crust. Set aside to rest before serving with the onion rings and slaw (see Goes well with).

Steps:

• For the ribs: In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, molasses, salt and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Put the ribs in a large, turkey-sized baking bag or sealable plastic bag. Support the bag in a 12-by-14-inch baking pan. Pour the marinade over the ribs and seal the bag. Marinate the ribs in the refrigerator for a few hours, turning the bag occasionally to thoroughly coat the meat.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Drain and discard the marinade. Cut four slits in the top of the baking bag, if you are using one. Otherwise, remove the ribs, transfer them to the baking pan, and cover the pan with foil or a lid. Bake for 2 hours.
• For the barbecue sauce: While the ribs are baking, blend the ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard and 1/3 cup water in a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then remove from the heat.
• When the ribs are cooked and tender, remove them from the baking bag. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Brush the ribs on both sides with the barbecue sauce and return them to the oven to bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes longer. Just before serving, throw the ribs under the broiler to give them a bit of a char.