Grilled Baby Back Ribs With Cherry Zinfandel BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

Herb-rubbed baby back ribs

• 1/4 cup paprika
• 3 tablespoons dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ground black pepper
• 3 baby back rib racks (7 to 8 lbs. total)

Cherry Zinfandel Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 1/2 cups dry red Zinfandel wine
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2/3 cup dried tart cherry
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons lightly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon anise seed
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

1. 1

   In a small bowl, mix paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rinse ribs and pat dry. Rub herb mixture over both sides of each rack, pressing so it sticks. Wrap each rack in heavy-duty foil.

2. 2

   Prepare grill for indirect heat: If using charcoal, ignite 60 briquets in a chimney starter (or mounded directly on the firegrate). When they're dotted with gray ash, in 15 to 20 minutes, push equal amounts to opposite sides of grate. Add 3 more briquets to each mound now and every 30 minutes while cooking. Set a drip pan on grate between mounds, then set cooking grate in place. If using gas, turn all burners to high, close lid, and heat for 10 minutes. Then turn center burner(s) off so heat is at edges of grill, not under cooking area; turn outside burners to medium.

3. 3

   Lay foil-wrapped ribs on grill, convex (meaty) side up, not directly over heat; overlap slightly if necessary. Cover and cook until tender when pierced (through foil), 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Carefully remove foil from ribs. Brush tops (meaty side) lightly with cherry-Zinfandel barbecue sauce, turn over, and cook until sauce is browned, about 10 minutes. Brush concave (bone) sides, turn again, and cook until browned on that side, about 10 minutes longer.

4. 4

   Transfer ribs to a board and cut between bones into individual ribs. Season to taste with salt and serve with remaining barbecue sauce.

5. 5

   Meanwhile pour olive oil into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until limp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add Zinfandel, ketchup, cherries, vinegar, Worcestershire, brown sugar, mustard, ginger, black pepper, anise seeds, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid begins to thicken slightly, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

6. 6

   Pour mixture into a blender and add 2 tablespoons lemon juice; whirl until very smooth. Taste and add more lemon juice if desired. Use warm or at room temperature.