STICKY BALSAMIC BABY BACK RIBS

By BobD

Ingredients

• For ribs:
• 8 large garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary
• 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 8 pounds baby back pork ribs (8 racks; see cooks note, below)
• 1 cup water
• For glaze:
• 2 cups hot water
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• Equipment: 2 large roasting pans

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from epicurious.com

Preparation

Step 1

Marinate and roast ribs:
Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1 teaspoon salt. Stir together with rosemary, brown sugar, vinegar, cayenne, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Rub evenly all over ribs and transfer to roasting pans. Marinate, chilled, 8 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 425F with racks in upper and lower thirds.

Pour 1/2 cup water into each roasting pan and tightly cover pans with foil. Roast ribs, switching position of pans halfway through, until meat is very tender, about 1 3/4 hours. Remove pans from oven and transfer ribs to a platter.


Make glaze and grill ribs:
Add 1 cup hot water to each roasting pan and scrape up brown bits. Skim off and discard fat, then transfer liquid to a 10-inch skillet. Add vinegar and brown sugar and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil until reduced to about 1 cup, about 15 minutes.

Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .

Brush some of glaze onto both sides of racks of ribs. Grill, turning occasionally, until ribs are hot and grill marks appear, about 6 minutes.

Brush ribs with more glaze and serve remaining glaze on the side.