Skip to main content

Mediterranean Baby Backs

If you love ribs, it’s hard to break the habit of the classic barbecue profile of brown sugar, vinegar, and ketchup. Since we can’t easily find lamb ribs in Nashville, we cheat by dressing up pork ribs with Mediterranean herbs, garlic, and mustard. Serve the pork in lamb’s clothing with couscous, rice, garlicky white beans, tomatoes and fresh basil, Greek feta salad, pita bread, or anything inspired by any country that touches the Mediterranean—and anything other than sweet barbecue beans and traditional slaw.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 2 to 3 servings

Ingredients

1 rack baby back pork or lamb ribs (2 to 3 pounds), membrane removed (see page 64)
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons Cheater Rub de la Maison (page 47)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    HEAT the oven to 350°F.

    Step 2

    CUT the ribs into 2- to 3-bone sections with a sharp knife. Place them in a large roasting pan.

    Step 3

    COMBINE the mustard and the dry rub in a small bowl and stir to form a paste. Spread the paste all over the ribs, coating them evenly.

    Step 4

    ROAST the ribs, uncovered, for about 1 hour. They should look well browned and the meat should be tender.

Cheater BBQ
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.