During my last trip to South Tyrol, I couldn’t resist bringing home some of those irresistible smoked ribs that smell of wood and mountains. They have an intense and enveloping flavor, perfect for colder days. In this recipe, I prepared them in the oven, so they stayed tender inside and slightly crispy outside. To complete the dish, I added apples, sautéed in the pan until golden and slightly caramelized: their sweet and tart taste goes perfectly with the smokiness of the ribs, creating a balance of flavors reminiscent of autumn and tradition. Try the smoked ribs with apples yourself… you’ll bring a bit of mountain aroma to your table!
Here are some other tasty ideas:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 3People
- Cooking methods: Oven, Stove
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
- Energy 370.48 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 13.51 (g) of which sugars 12.75 (g)
- Proteins 30.53 (g)
- Fat 20.34 (g) of which saturated 4.64 (g)of which unsaturated 6.29 (g)
- Fibers 3.51 (g)
- Sodium 222.20 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 350 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork ribs (smoked)
- 2 green apples
- Half onion
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1 sprig rosemary
- extra virgin olive oil
- butter
- salt
- pepper
Tools
- Baking dish
- Pan
Preparation
Separate the ribs with a sharp knife. Place them in a large baking dish, adding a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a bay leaf, and a sprig of rosemary (1).
Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F and cook for 30-35 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel the apples and cut them into cubes.
In a pan, melt a small knob of butter. Add the onion sliced into rings and sauté for a few seconds.
Add the apples (2), lightly salt and pepper, and sauté them for a few minutes, turning frequently.
At the end of the half-hour cooking time, add the apples to the ribs. Continue cooking in the oven for another 5-6 minutes.
Smoked ribs with apples are ready, serve them hot, drizzling with their cooking juices.
Advice and Notes
Adjust the cooking times based on the instructions on the ribs’ packaging, or those provided by the butcher where you purchased them.
I recommend using apples with a slightly tart flavor, like Granny Smith. If you don’t like them, classic Golden apples are fine too.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use fresh ribs (not smoked)?
Of course, you will need to increase the cooking times, based on the weight and thickness of the meat. Before putting them in the oven, you can sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and herbs as you like.
What side dish can I pair with the ribs?
The apples are a side dish on their own, but you can pair cabbage (raw or stewed in a pan) or mashed potatoes.
