Honey-Glazed Asian-Spiced Ribs

The taste sensations of sweet and spicy come together in these unforgettable ribs. Using fruitwood chips, such as apple wood, rather than hickory accents the subtle sweet flavor.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 racks baby back pork ribs, membrane attached
1/4 cup Chinese five-spice
1 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1/2 cup guava nectar
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Cooking Directions:

1. One hour before grilling, soak 4 cups of wood chips in enough water to cover. Mix together Chinese five spice, salt and black pepper in small bowl. Rub spice mixture over both sides of ribs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 hours, if desired.
2. Place guava nectar, hoisin sauce, honey, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes in blender container. Cover and blend until well mixed.
3. Preheat gas grill to high. Drain wood chips. Place chips in metal smoker box, disposable drip pan or wrap in heavy foil that has holes poked in the top for steam to escape. Place box, drip pan or foil packet directly over lava rocks. When chips begin to smoke, reduce heat to 275°F (135°C). Place ribs, bone side down on grill rack. Turn off any burners directly below the ribs. Cover and grill over indirect heat for 2 hours or until meat is very tender, generously brushing with hoisin-honey mixture during the last 15 minutes of grilling.
4. Transfer ribs to cutting board. Loosely cover with foil; let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

*For charcoal grill: Drain wood chips. Prepare a medium fire in covered charcoal grill. Bank coals on both sides of grill. Place drip pan in center. Sprinkle 2 cups of the wood chips over the coals. When chips begin to smoke, place ribs, bone side down, in center of grill over drip pan. Cover and grill over indirect low heat for 2 hours or until meat is very tender, adding more wood chips every 20 minutes and, if necessary, a few briquettes to maintain an even grill temperature of about 275°F to 300°F (135°C to 150°C). Generously brush ribs with hoisin-honey mixture during the last 15 minutes of grilling. Continue as directed above.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): Calories: 780 calories; Protein: 36 grams; Fat: 52 grams; Sodium: 2420 milligrams; Cholesterol: 170 milligrams; Saturated Fat: 19 grams; Carbohydrates: 44 grams; Fiber: 2 grams.

Recipe developed by Bob Blumer, The Surreal Gourmet.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of National Pork Board.