Tiki Ribs with Pineapple Pickles

• 1 quart distilled white vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 chiles de arbol
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 small pineapple, peeled, quartered, cored and sliced crosswise 1/4-inch thick
• 1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts
• One 3-pound rack baby back ribs
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 star anise
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce
• 1 mandarin orange
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
• Toasted unsweetened shredded coconut, for garnish (optional)

1. Make the Pineapple Pickles In a large saucepan, combine the vinegar with 1 1/2 cups of water and the sugar, chiles and garlic.
2. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
3. Transfer the pickling liquid to a large heatproof bowl and let cool to lukewarm.
4. Add the pineapple and let cool completely, then cover and chill overnight.
5. Prepare the Ribs Preheat the oven to 375.
6. Toast the macadamia nuts in a pie plate for 5 minutes, until golden.
7. Let cool.
8. Leave the oven on.
9. Prepare the Ribs Set the ribs on a rack over a rimmed baking sheet and rub them all over with the oil; season with salt and pepper.
10. Roast for 2 hours, until golden brown and very tender.
11. Let cool, then cut the rack into single ribs.
12. Prepare the Ribs Meanwhile, in a saucepan, cook the sugar with 1/4 cup of water over moderate heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
13. Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, fennel seeds and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
14. Cook, without stirring, until a frothy, deep-amber caramel forms, 7 minutes.
15. Off the heat, whisk in the soy sauce and fish sauce.
16. Strain the caramel into a bowl; keep warm.
17. Prepare the Ribs Using a small, sharp knife, peel the orange, removing any bitter white pith.
18. Working over a bowl, cut between the membranes to release the sections.
19. Prepare the Ribs In a large skillet, combine the ribs with 1 cup of the caramel.
20. Cook over moderately high heat, tossing frequently, until the ribs are well glazed, 6 minutes; transfer to a platter.
21. Garnish with some of the pineapple pickles and the mandarin sections, maraschino cherries, macadamia nuts and shredded coconut and serve with the remaining pineapple pickles.

white vinegar, sugar, arbol, garlic, pineapple, nuts, rack baby back ribs, canola oil, kosher salt, pepper, brown sugar, cinnamon, anise, fennel seeds, soy sauce, fish sauce, orange, maraschino cherries, coconut

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/tiki-ribs-pineapple-pickles (may not work)