Apple-Butter Country Ribs

At first glance, an apple-butter sauce may seem a tad too sweet, but   red pepper, horseradish and cumin add a  subtle tasty twist  that's unusual and welcome.   There's not much actual labor involved in this dish,  just  a long slow  cooking time to  ensure  tender ribs.

 Put about 4 lbs.  meaty country-style pork ribs in a  pot, add enough salted water to cover,  bring  to a boil , then cover and cook over medium heat for an hour. 

While the meat cooks, make the sauce.  Combine  these  ingredients in a saucepan:
14 oz. apple butter; 1/2 c. water, 1/4 c. vinegar, 3 TB lemon juice; 2 tsp. prepared  horseradish,  1 tsp mustard, 1/2 tsp celery seed;  1/2 tsp garlic powder,  12/ tsp sugar,  1/2 tsp salt,  1/8 tsp pepper, dash red pepper, dash cumin.  Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and summer for about 30 minutes, until reduced to about 2 cups, stirring occasionally. 

Preheat oven to 325 and grease a 9x13 baking dish. Place ribs in the dish and salt and pepper them.  Spread with 1/2 the  apple butter sauce.  Bake for 1 hour, basting three times, using  all the sauce.