Best Recipe for Rory's Ribs with Grilled Corn, Cantaloupe, and Fresh Herb Salad
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 1/4 cups ketchup
- 1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth, divided
- 7 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
- 6 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
- 4 1/2 tablespoons mild-flavored (light) molasses
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 large racks baby back pork ribs (each about 2 1/2 pounds)
- 8 tablespoons chili powder, divided
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 8 large ears of fresh corn, husked
- 1 whole cantaloupe, rinsed, cut in half, seeded, each half cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
- Honey
- Cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 orange, juiced and zest grated
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 bunches fresh Italian parsley, leaves only, thoroughly cleaned and dried
- Orange wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- For Barbecue Sauce: Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Press garlic through garlic press into pan. Stir 30 seconds. Add the ketchup, 3/4 cup broth, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, molasses, and vinegar. Bring sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until reduced to 3 cups, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Transfer to bowl. This can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.
- Sprinkle each side of each rib rack with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon chili powder. Arrange 2 racks on each of 2 large rimmed baking sheets. This can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill.
- Position 1 oven rack in top third of oven and 1 rack in bottom third; preheat to 450 degrees F.
- Pour 1/2 cup of remaining broth and 2 tablespoons of remaining soy sauce around ribs on each sheet; cover each with foil. Bake ribs 30 minutes; reverse sheets. Bake ribs until tender, about 45 minutes longer. Uncover; cool slightly. Cut each rib rack between bones into individual ribs. Brush ribs generously with sauce. This can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
- For Herb Butter and Corn: Whisk butter and all herbs in medium bowl to blend. Season butter, to taste, with salt and pepper. This can be made 1 week ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.
- Arrange corn on baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let stand until ready to grill, up to 2 hours.
- Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill ribs until heated through and slightly charred, turning occasionally and brushing with more sauce, about 10 minutes. Pile ribs on platter.
- Grill corn until tender and beginning to char and show grill marks, turning often and brushing with herb butter, about 10 minutes. Transfer to plate; top with more butter. Serve with remaining butter.
- For Melon: Grill cantaloupe slices on 1 side until showing grill marks, about 3 minutes. Mound, grilled side up, on platter. Brush with honey; sprinkle with cayenne.
- For Fresh Herb Salad: This easy side dish is a cooling contrast to the rest of the meal. Whisk 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, and 1 teaspoon (packed) finely grated orange peel in small bowl. Season the dressing with salt and pepper. Strip thick stems from 2 large bunches of fresh Italian parsley and place small top sprigs and leaves in large bowl. Cover and chill until ready to use, up to 2 hours. Re-whisk dressing. Toss parsley with enough dressing to coat and serve.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, saute the garlic in the oil until fragrant. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
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