Ingredients

  • 1 rack baby back pork ribs, about 3 pounds
  • 4 to 6 star anise pods
  • Peels from 2 tangerines, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup orange blossom honey
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
  • 1 large clove garlic, coarsely chopped
  • 1 (2-inch) knob fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1 tablespoon sambal oelek
  • 2 tablespoons chopped tangerine peel, for garnish

Method

  • Rinse the ribs under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Place the ribs in a baking dish, sprinkle with the star anise, and set aside.
  • To make the marinade, in a blender, combine all of the ingredients and process until the mixture is fairly smooth.
  • Pour over the ribs, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 300F.
  • Remove the ribs from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  • Place the covered dish in the oven and cook for 2 12 hours.
  • Remove the ribs from the oven.
  • Remove the foil and set aside.
  • Baste the ribs with the sauce and return to the oven, uncovered.
  • Cook for another 30 minutes.
  • Remove the ribs from the oven and tent with the reserved foil.
  • Allow to rest for 15 minutes.
  • Transfer the rack to a cutting board and cut between the bones.
  • Serve with a sprinkle of tangerine peel.