Beef back ribs can be harder to find in butcher shops than short ribs, but chef David Burtka serves them on Halloween because they resemble human ribs. Here, he braises them in Coca-Cola, then brushes them with homemade barbecue sauce before grilling them.
How to Make It
Put the ribs in a very large pot or roasting pan; add the cola and enough water to just cover. Bring to a boil, skimming off any scum on the surface. Add the peppercorns and 1 tablespoon of salt. Cover and simmer over low heat until the meat is tender but not falling off the bone, 2 hours; drain.
In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer over very low heat, stirring frequently, until thick and glossy, about 15 minutes.
Light a grill or preheat the broiler. Working in batches, arrange the ribs on baking sheets and brush them with the sauce. Grill the ribs or broil 10 inches from the heat, turning and brushing with sauce, until lightly charred, 12 minutes. Serve with the remaining sauce.