Tag: star anise

Finger-Lickin’ Ribs

The ultimate summer meaty treat.

16 pork baby back ribs
1 small onion, roughly chopped
1 star anise
1 small cinnamon stick, broken into shards
1 green chili, deseeded and roughly chopped
1″ piece ginger, peeled and chopped
juice and zest of 1/2 lime
2 tbs. soy sauce
1 tbs. vegetable oil
1 tbs. molasses or treacle
1/4 cup pineapple juice
bottled BBQ sauce, to serve (optional)

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and cut into 4-rib pieces. Put them in the re-sealable bag and add the remaining ingredients except the BBQ sauce. Squelch everything together and chill for a least 3 hours, or overnight.

Heat the oven to 400°F. Tip the ribs and the marinade into a roasting tin and cook for 45 minutes. Heat the grill and cook the ribs for 5 minutes per side. Cut the ribs apart and serve with extra sauce alongside.

Serves 4

Maple Chicken and Ribs

Give yourself enough time to marinate this the day before and you will be richly rewarded!

12 pork spareribs
12 chicken thighs, skin and bone still on
1 cup apple juice, as sharp as possible
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tbs. vegetable oil
2 tbs. soy sauce
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
6 unpeeled garlic cloves

Put the ribs and chicken in a large freezer bag or into a large dish. Add all the ingredients, squelching or tossing together very well. Leave to marinate in the fridge overnight.

Heat the oven to 400°F. Pour the contents of the bag or dish into 1 or 2 large roasting tins with the chicken skin-side up. Roast for about 1 1/4 hours by which time everything should be sticky and a glossed chestnut brown color.

Serves 6-8