Black Bean and Ginger Glazed Ribs

This is one of my favorite rib recipes which I often serve with some great oven baked potato wedges for a weekend supper. (Find the potato wedges recipe here along with a great meatloaf sandwich: http://rockrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/01/meatloaf-bacon-and-onion-on-toasted.html )

This past weekend, however, I made a few racks of these ribs to serve at a small gathering of friends to celebrate my continuing march toward oblivion, also known as a birthday! They were snapped up pretty quickly and several guests declared them to be the best ribs they had ever eaten. Who am I to disagree? ;)

Black Bean and Ginger Glazed Ribs

4 racks back ribs

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tbsp chinese five spice powder

2 tbsp freshly grated ginger root

Mix together the garlic, ginger, salt, pepper and five spice and rub onto the ribs. Roast the ribs slowly on a rack at 300 degrees F for about an hour before beginning to brush on the Black Bean and Ginger Glaze:

Black Bean and Ginger Glaze

2 cloves minced garlic

2 tbsp peanut oil

1 cup black bean sauce

3 tbsp freshly grated ginger root

2 tbsp soya sauce

1 tsp chinese five spice powder

4 tbsp rice wine vinegar (use cider vinegar in a pinch)

1/2 cup brown sugar

Simmer all ingredients together for about 15 minutes before beginning to brush the glaze onto the ribs. Increase the heat to 375 degrees F and brush the glaze on both sides of the ribs in 3 or 4 increments about every 10 minutes. Allow the ribs to rest, covered in aluminium foil for 10 minutes before serving.