Ribs with Orange, Maple and Cinnamon BBQ Sauce

Dry Rub with Orange Zest

• • 3/4 cup brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons paprika

  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt

  • 2 teaspoons coarse black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • zest of one orange

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Yields about 1 cup.

Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen

Orange, Cinnamon and Maple BBQ Sauce

• • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 sweet yellow onion, diced

  • pinch of salt

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 jalapeno, minced (seeds removed)

  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup

  • 1 1/2 cups orange juice

  • zest of 1 orange

  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

  • 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice

  • 1/4 cup molasses

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • salt and pepper

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion and salt and cook until onion is softened, about 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapenos and cook for 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the cinnamon stick.

Using an immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth. Add the cinnamon stick, and bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer.

Simmer uncovered for 3 hours, until sauce is rich and thick and the flavors have deepened. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Yields about 4 cups.

Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen

Baby Back Ribs with Orange, Cinnamon and Maple BBQ Sauce

• • 1 rack baby back ribs

  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped

  • salt and pepper

  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup dry rub (above)

  • 1 sweet yellow onion, sliced into rings

  • 1 orange, sliced

  • 2 cups orange juice

  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 1 - 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (above)

Preheat the oven to 200. Rub the rack of ribs on both sides with the garlic and season with salt and pepper. Season all over with the dry rub. In a large baking pan, lay the garlic, onion and orange slices in the bottom. Place the ribs in the pan, bone side down. Pour the orange juice and apple cider vinegar into the pan. Cover with foil.

Cook for 5-6 hours, until the meat easily pulls away from the bone and is very tender.

To finish, heat the grill to medium high. Brush the ribs generously with the BBQ sauce, then grill for 5-10 minutes on each side for a nice char.

Yields 2-4 servings.

Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen