Oven-baking the ribs makes them really tender and you can do most of the preparation ahead of time and finish them on the BBQ when you're ready.
Ingredients
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1kg pork spare ribs
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1/2 cup tomato sauce
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1/2 cup hoisin sauce
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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2 cloves garlic, crushed
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Salt & pepper
Method
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Preheat oven to 180°c
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Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs (if your butcher has not already done so). Work a knife under the membrane to loosen a small section then grip it with a paper towel and peel it off.
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Combine the tomato sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread half the marinade over the ribs, making sure they are evenly coated. Reserve the remainder of the marinade. Marinate for at least two hours.
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Line a baking tray with foil and lay the ribs on it in a single layer. Cover with more foil and bake in the oven for one hour.
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Remove from oven and brush half the remaining marinade over the ribs. Place the ribs on heated BBQ or in a griddle pan on the stove. Cook until the sauce has caramelised (about 6-7 minutes each side). Separate into individual ribs with a sharp knife.
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Serve with any remaining marinade as a dipping sauce. Great as part of a shared BBQ meal or make a complete meal with steamed rice and Chinese vegetables.
More Rib Sauce Options
Chinese-style ribs
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1/2 cup oyster sauce
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1/2 cup hoisin sauce
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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2 cm piece of ginger, crushed
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2 cloves garlic, crushed
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2 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder
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1 tsp salt
Hot and spicy ribs
Dry spice rub that's great for beef ribs too.-
1 tbsp ground cumin
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1 tbsp chilli powder
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1 tbsp garlic powder
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1 tbsp paprika
BBQ sauce (for basting)
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Combine the dry spices and sprinkle the mixture over both sides of the ribs.
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Wrap in foil and bake in oven at 180°c for 1 hour.
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Remove from foil and baste the ribs with BBQ sauce before placing on the hot BBQ for 5-6 minutes each side.
