Baked Pork Ribs

Baked pork ribs are a delicious dish that can win over the palate with their succulent meat and an irresistible flavored crust. Here’s how to prepare them Italian style, with a touch of Mediterranean taste.

Ingredients

• 1 kg of pork ribs
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 sprig of thyme (optional)
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 1/2 glass of white wine

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. In the meantime, prepare an emulsion with extra virgin olive oil, crushed garlic, finely chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper. If you like more complex flavors, you can also add chopped thyme and crumbled bay leaf.
3. Massage the pork ribs with the prepared emulsion, making sure the meat is well seasoned.
4. Place the ribs in a baking dish, preferably in a single layer, and drizzle with white wine.
5. Put the ribs in the oven and cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, turning them from time to time and basting them with their juice, until they are nicely golden and the meat is tender.
6. If you desire a crispier crust, in the last minutes of cooking you can raise the oven temperature or turn on the grill.

For an even more Italian twist, you might decide to add a touch of balsamic vinegar or honey during the last minutes of cooking to slightly caramelize the ribs.

Trivia

Pork ribs can be served with various sides, but in Italy, they are often accompanied by roasted potatoes, polenta, or grilled vegetables, which well complete the skillful mix between sweetness and savoriness of the dish.

I hope you enjoy this delicious preparation, and if you need a wine pairing, a full-bodied red could be ideal!