Baked Baby Backs

Sometimes you might feel like ribs but you don't want to use your grill. Maybe you just want to put them in the oven and forget about them? Maybe you don't want to use a commercial BBque sauce: maybe you feel like making your own from scratch? If that's you,  then I have a great recipe for you. You put a rub on the ribs and bake for over two hours--then spoon on the sauce for the last 1/2 hour. They are very tender but they are different from your typical barbecued ribs so be advised :-)

-  3 pounds pork ribs
- 1 Tbsp. sea salt
- 1 Tbsp. paprika
- 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. onion powder
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions:1. Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 250F. Combine all spice ingredients together in a small bowl and stir to combine to create the rub.
2. Rub both sides of the ribs with the spice rub and place the ribs on a baking sheet, meat side down and cover with foil.
3. Bake the ribs for about 2 hours. during the last 1/2 hour, remove foil, flip carefully and spoon on barbecue sauce. Bake for 30 more minutes--if you want you can run under the broiler if you want them more browned looking. ( I didn't do that)
4. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice the ribs and serve.

While the ribs are baking you can make your homemade sauce:

- 16 oz tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 5 Tbsp. raw honey
- 1/2 Tbsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp. onion powder
- 1/2 Tbsp. ground mustard
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1. Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Bring just to a boil. 
2. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 1 hour or until thickened to your liking.

I served with baked veggies: eggplant, zucchini, onion and peppers topped with a little mozzarella cheese.