Easy and tasty ribs, any time of year!
2 racks lean baby back ribs, about 1 1/2 lbs. each, trimmed of excess fat, rinsed and blotted dry
2 tsp mild chili powder
2 tsp light brown sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup bottled barbeque sauce, your favorite kind
1/3 cup chopped red onion
1/3 cup water
1 tbsp pureed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (in a can in the Latin food section)
1 to 2 tbsp light brown sugar or 1 to 2 tsp lemon juice, depending on the sweetness of the barbeque sauce
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Arrange the ribs, rounded side up, in a single layer on a rack in a shallow roasting pan or sheet pan. Roast, uncovered, 30 minutes. Combine the chili powder, 2 tsp brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Remove the ribs from the oven and sprinkle/rub in the chili mixture on both sides of the ribs. Continue to roast the ribs, rounded side down for 20 minutes. Then turn ribs over and roast another 10 minutes (30 minutes total for this step.)
Meanwhile, bring the barbeque sauce, onion, water, pureed chipotles, 1 to 2 tbsp light brown sugar or lemon juice (depending on the sweetness of the barbeque sauce you use) and cumin to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes.
After the ribs are cooked, cut into 2 rib portions; place in a large shallow casserole. While the ribs and the barbeque sauce are hot, pour all but 1/2 cup of the barbeque sauce over the ribs. Brush the sauce on both sides of the ribs. Bake the ribs rounded side up covered with foil at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake about 20 or 30 minutes longer. Serve hot and enjoy!