boy’s birthday dinner

Connor requested two things for his birthday dinner – Grilled Pizza and Baby Back Ribs.

I can easily do that and was more than happy to fulfill his modest request!

Connor’s Baby Back Birthday Ribs

2 slabs baby back ribs (about 6 pounds)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 slices bacon, diced
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 small onion, peeled and minced
3 peeled and minced garlic cloves
2 cups ketchup
1 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground smoked paprika

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.

Place the ribs on the prepared baking sheet, season with salt, and. Place the ribs in the oven, and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a medium saucepan cook the bacon over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes to render the bacon fat. Add the thyme, onion, and garlic and cook slowly, without coloring, for 5 minutes.

Add the remaining sauce ingredients and turn the heat down to low. Cook slowly for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Baste the ribs with the sauce and let them continue cooking, basting two more times, for an additional 30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and preheat the broiler for 5 minutes. Return to oven and broil the ribs, basting with the sauce, until the ribs become crisp and charred, about 5 minutes on each side.

Makes about 24 ribs