BBQ Country-Style Pork Ribs

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place pork in a Dutch oven or a roasting pan with a lid. Sprinkle with salt. In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast allspice, peppercorns, coriander and cloves until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Using an electric spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, grind spices and transfer to a small bowl.

2. Step 2

   To the ground, toasted spices, add smoked paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, annatto (if using), garlic, molasses, vinegar and tomato paste. Stir well, then rub mixture all over pork.

3. Step 3

   Add 4 cups water to pot. Add split chiles, if using (omit if you don’t like really spicy barbecue), and bay leaves. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 300 degrees, and continue to bake, basting occasionally for 2 hours, until meat is fork tender and falling off the bone. Pour off juices and remove rising fat. Cut pork into chunks or shred. Serve with pan juices, on a bun or roll, and/or with the cabbage salad. (Alternatively, refrigerate meat and juices for up to 2 days for easier fat removal, and reheat.)

4. Step 4

   To make optional cabbage salad, place cabbage in a low, wide bowl. Sprinkle with salt and toss well. Add orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, jalapeño, cumin and scallions. Toss well and leave to macerate for at least 1 hour; repeat tossing once or twice. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.