There’s nothing like a spicy, succulent rack of ribs to make an everyday summer dinner a party! If you prepare them a day ahead, all you have to do is pop them in the oven and they’re ready to go.

Mom had a special ingredient for the sauce and it was Coca-Cola, which of course as kids, it was our drink of choice. Later on Linda and I liked nothing better than a Rum and Coke, but that’s another story. Here’s Mom’s recipe right from her recipe box, just slightly tweaked for today’s taste.

Coca-Cola Spareribs
1 rack spareribs, about 3 lbs.

Sauce:
1/2 cup apricot jam
1/2 cup orange juice
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cups Coca-Cola

Mix well in medium sauce pan and bring to a low boil, turn off heat and set aside.

Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare ribs by cutting them in half, then rub in the spices, (no salt yet) then cover tightly and refrigerate for at least two hours or up to 24 hours.

Day of cooking:
Place ribs in roasting pan, lightly salt and pepper, spread 1/2 cup water around ribs, cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. After the 45 minutes, uncover and baste with sauce, frequently adding a little more water on bottom of pan if it looks dry. Cover and bake for an additional 55 minutes. Mom always put them under the broiler for about five minutes at the end to crisp up.

Jean Hecker has a BA in Home Economics Education from Rowan University and enjoys exploring all facets of the food and restaurant industry.