Empowering your Palate: Mexican Style Ribs

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Tech. Sgt. Thomas Danley, a 352nd Special Operations Group weapons safety manager, sent in this recipe for Mexican Style Ribs.

"I have to admit that I didn't invent this recipe, but it will not disappoint!" he stated in his submission.

Mexican Style Ribs

Ingredients -

2 racks baby back ribs or spare ribs
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp dried onion
1/2 tsp chipotle powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp taco seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp salt
6 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tbsp ancho chili powder
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup white wine
1 tbsp hot sauce
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp tomato paste

Preparation:

Combine oregano, dried onion, chipotle powder, cumin, taco seasoning, garlic powder, salt, light brown sugar and ancho chili powder to make a rub. Apply to both sides of each rack of ribs.

Wrap ribs in aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (125 degrees C)

In a microwaveable bowl, stir together the lime juice, wine hot sauce, red wine vinegar, garlic, honey and tomato paste to make a braising liquid. Microwave for about a minute, and then whisk to ensure everything is combined well.

Open foil packets containing the ribs. Add about 1/2 of braising liquid to each packet and then close back up.

Place foil packets on a baking sheet and bake ribs. Baby back ribs will bake for about 2 1/2 hours and spare ribs will bake for about 4 1/2 hours.

When ribs are done, drain the liquids from the foil packets into a pot and reduce on the stovetop over high heat until reduced by about half. Change your oven setting to broil.

Pour reduced liquid into a bowl and brush some over the ribs. Broil the ribs for a minute or until the glaze bubbles then cut them up and serve with the remaining sauce on the side.