Smokey Coriander-Fennel Grilled Spare Ribs

1. Season the Ribs

The night before you plan to cook, season the pork spare ribs generously with salt and fresh-ground black pepper. This preliminary seasoning is crucial as it helps to tenderize the meat and enhance its natural flavors.

2. Prepare Spice Mixture

In a small bowl, combine the ground coriander seeds, ground fennel seeds, mild chile powder, and sweet paprika. Pat this spice mixture evenly onto the ribs, making sure to coat all sides. Place the ribs in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat, ensuring a more flavorful and aromatic dish.

3. Bring Ribs to Room Temperature

On the day of cooking, take the ribs out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. This step is important as it helps the meat cook more evenly. While the ribs are warming up, prepare your grill for medium-hot cooking. If you’re using a wood or charcoal grill, make sure it reaches a consistent medium-hot temperature to avoid burning the spices and to cook the ribs slowly for tenderness.

4. Drizzle with Olive Oil

Just before grilling, drizzle the ribs with olive oil to keep them moist and to add a rich, savory flavor. Place the ribs on the grill and cook for about 1 hour, turning them every 10 minutes. This frequent turning ensures they cook evenly and develop a beautiful, well-browned exterior.

5. Rest and Serve

Once the ribs are well browned and cooked through, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the ribs into individual portions and serve.