Italian Sausage-Spiced Baby Back Ribs

INGREDIENTS:

2 racks baby back ribs, trimmed
Spice rub:
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Glaze:

1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 teaspoons hot chile paste, or to taste

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2.Combine fennel seeds, black pepper, sugar, garlic salt, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.

3.Place rib racks on the prepared baking sheet; cut several shallow slits in the membrane along the backs of the ribs with a sharp paring knife. Rub fennel seed mixture on both sides of ribs.

4.Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Flip ribs and bake until a fork inserts easily between the bones, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Set aside to cool completely, about 1 hour.

5.Combine brown sugar, orange juice, vinegar, orange zest, and hot chile paste in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.

6.Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

7.Cut rib racks into individual ribs; toss with glaze in a large bowl until evenly coated. Place ribs on the prepared baking sheet. Reserve any additional glaze in the bowl for basting.

8.Bake glazed ribs for 5 minutes. Flip, brush with remaining glaze and bake until browned, 5 to 10 minutes.

Tip:
Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.