We’re always looking for good recipes for spare ribs, and it turns out, we had one sitting under our noses on our kitchen bookshelf in the Smitten Kitchen Every Day cookbook. This is the Maple-Miso Pork Ribs and you’ve gotta give this a try!
Maple-Miso Pork Ribs
1 rack of pork spare ribs (or baby back ribs)
1/3 cup white miso
1/3 cup maple syrup
Salt and ground black pepper
1/3 cup rice vinegar
DIRECTIONS
1. Pre-heat oven to 300F. If you have a cooling/baking rack, place it on a large baking sheet (this will help improve heat circulation around the ribs).
2. Place the ribs on a large piece of aluminum foil.
3. Combine the miso, maple syrup and rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Brush about 1/3 of the mixture all over both sides of the ribs. Season well with salt and pepper.
4. Place another piece of aluminum foil over the ribs and fold in the edges of the top and bottom pieces of foil to form a sealed packet around the ribs. Transfer the packet to the baking rack or baking sheet and bake for 2 hours (2.5 hours for baby back ribs) or until tender.
5. At some point during the baking process, bring the remaining maple/miso/vinegar mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat, and cook until thick and glossy about 10-15 minutes. Stir the mixture frequently and pay close attention near the end to prevent burning.
6. When the ribs are done, remove the top layer of foil (watch out for hot steam coming from the packet!). Brush the reduced sauce all over both sides of the ribs. Turn on the broiler and run the ribs under the broiler until slightly charred 3-5 minutes.
7. Remove from oven, transfer to a cutting board and slice between the ribs to separate.
8. Enjoy!