Janet and Greta Podleski are lightening up ribs using pork tenderloin for a flavourful alternative.

Stick to your ribs

Ingredients: 

Spice rub:

• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1¹/₂ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ¹/₂ tsp ground cumin
• ¹/₂ tsp seasoned salt
• ¹/₄ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¹/₄ tsp garlic powder
• ¹/₄ tsp onion powder
• ¹/₈ tsp cayenne pepper

Barbecue sauce:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp finely minced onions
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• ¹/₂ cup ketchup
• ¹/₃ cup hickory flavored barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 1¹/₄ tsp chili powder
• ¹/₂ tsp each ground cumin and paprika
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• ¹/₂ tsp dried rosemary
• ¹/₄ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large pork tenderloins (about 1¹/₄ lbs/568 g each)

Method: 

Mix all spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Using a meat mallet, pound the pork uniformly into about 3/4-inch thickness. Using a sharp knife, score the pork in 1-inch intervals so that it looks like ribs. Cut about half way into the meat, not all the way through. Use about 1-1/2 tbsp spice rub per slab of “ribs” and rub into both sides of meat and into score marks. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for best flavor.

To make sauce, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook and stir until onions have softened, about 1 minute. Add all remaining sauce ingredients. Mix well. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool. Sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.

Preheat grill to high setting. Place pork on a grill rack that has been sprayed lightly brushed with oil. Grill pork for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally and basting often with barbecue sauce. Grill marks are mandatory! Be sure not to overcook the pork, as it will be dry. It’s okay for pork to be a little pink in the middle. Remove pork from grill and let rest for one minute, then cut along score marks into individual “ribs.” Serve hot.

Makes 5 servings

Per serving: 393 calories, 10.5 g total fat (4.2 g saturated fat), 49 g protein, 24 g carbohydrate, 1.2 g fibre, 154 mg cholesterol, 708 mg sodium

Courtesy Janet and Greta Podleski
http://janetandgreta.com/cookbook/looneyspoons/