Baby Back Ribs with Spiced Apple-Cider Mop

What is not to love about baby back ribs.  These ribs were very tender and had a lot of flavor.  This will definitely be made again at our house.  They go very well with the cheese biscuit below.

Ingredients:

Mop

2 cups apple cider

1/4 cup minced shallots

1 tablespoon minced jalapeño, seeds removed

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

2 to 3 slabs baby back pork ribs, about 4 pounds total

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper 

 

In a small saucepan combine the apple cider, shallots, and jalapeño. Bring to a boil and cook over medium-high heat until about 1 cup of the liquid remains, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the remaining mop ingredients, bring to a boil, and remove from heat. The mop can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.

Using a meat thermometer or dull knife, slide the tip under the membrane covering the back of each rack of ribs. Lift and loosen the membrane until it breaks, then grab a corner with a paper towel and pull it off.

Allow the ribs to stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling. Season ribs with salt and pepper. Grill, rib side down, over indirect medium heat (350°F to 450°F), with the lid closed as much as possible, until the meat is very tender and has pulled back from the ends of the bones, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Baste the ribs frequently with the mop throughout grilling time, but stop basting during the last 10 minutes. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into individual ribs.