Beef Short Ribs

These meltingly tender, full-flavoured beef ribs are the stars on our barbecue. The ribs first need to be slowcooked in the oven, then doused in tangy barbecue sauce and finished on the grill to transform them into sticky, smoky deliciousness. You can start this two days ahead.

RUB

2 teaspoons sea salt 1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon each ground cumin and paprika

½ teaspoon each ground coriander and chilli

RIBS

1.5 kilograms beef short ribs, or 6 ribs (see Cook’s note)

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

GLAZE

2 tablespoons American mustard

2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons melted butter 1/3 cup brown sugar 2 cloves garlic, crushed

¼-½ teaspoon chilli powder, to taste

½ teaspoon sea salt

Preheat the oven to 150°C regular bake.

RUB: Put the ingredients in a bowl and rub together with your fingertips to combine well.

RIBS: Cut the ribs into single pieces and place bone side down in a baking dish. Sprinkle the rub over the meat, then rub onto all sides. Drizzle the vinegar over the top.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2½-3 hours, or until the meat is very tender. Take care when handling the ribs as the meat will have shrunk away from the bone and can easily fall off while hot.

Cool the ribs in the dish. If cooking ahead, cover and refrigerate the ribs. Remove from the fridge 2 hours before grilling.

GLAZE: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 2 minutes, then transfer to a bowl. This can be done ahead of time, just rewarm before using.

TO COOK: Preheat the barbecue to low.

Scrape the fat off the ribs and brush the meat with a thin layer of glaze. Place on the bars of the grill and cook, turning and glazing every 5 minutes, until the meat is hot all the way through. Don’t let the glaze catch and burn.

Place on a serving platter and serve with American mustard and crusty bread. MAKES 6 RIBS