Simple Ribs in the Oven

Meat:

1 rack pork ribs, silvery backing skin removed

• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. onion powder
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. mustard powder
• 1 tsp. salt

Combine all the rub ingredients in a bowl, then rub them all over the rack of ribs, cover the ribs with wax paper, and refrigerate them for at least 6 hours.

Pre-heat your oven to 275F.

Roast the ribs, uncovered, bone-side down, on a rack over a foil-covered baking tray for 3 hours.

Sauce:

• 1 cup tomato ketchup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp. mustard
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 0.5 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. rum
• 0.125 tsp. liquid smoke

An hour before the ribs are going to be done, combine all the sauce ingredients in a small pot and simmer them gently for 10 minutes, stirring often and taking care not to burn the sugar.

For the last half hour of cooking, use a brush or a spoon to baste the ribs every few minutes, applying the sauce in several thin layers.

Cut them up and serve them with a potato, cauliflower, or bean salad.