Inexpensive slabs of baby back ribs get the crown-roast treatment with the help of a springform pan (no twine required!). Filled a with cornbread souffle and finished with a jeweled cranberry topping, this dish impresses holiday guests — even if you’re on a budget.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 10 hr 40 min |
| Active: | 1 hr |
| Yield: | 8 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coriander seed, crushed
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, crushed
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- Kosher salt
- Two 1 1/2- to 3-pound racks baby back ribs
- One 15-ounce can corn kernels, drained
- 1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Kosher salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg whites
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped, plus sprigs, for the top
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus a pat for finishing
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- For the ribs: Combine the coriander, peppercorns, thyme, brown sugar and 1 tablespoon salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture all over the ribs, rubbing it in well. Put on a rimmed baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Put the bottom of a 10-inch nonstick springform pan in the middle of the baking sheet. Unlock the collar of the springform pan and put it on top of the base. Stand up the ribs along the inside of the collar with the bone sides touching the metal to form a circle. (The collar should look like a corset around the ribs.)
- For the filling: Spread the corn in an even layer in the center of the crown of ribs.
- Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the sour cream, milk and 2 egg yolks in another medium bowl. Stir the sour cream mixture into the cornmeal mixture until well combined. Stir in the chives, thyme and butter. Beat the 4 egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the cornmeal batter until just combined.
- Spoon the batter on top of the corn in the middle of the ribs and tighten the springform pan collar by closing the clasp. Roast until the ribs are cooked through and the batter is set, about 1 hour 50 minutes.
- For the cranberry topping: Meanwhile, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a very low simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced to about 1 tablespoon and the cranberries are glossy and translucent, about 20 minutes.
- Wearing oven mitts, unclasp the springform side and carefully work it up over the top of the roast to remove it. Using a large spatula, remove the roast from the springform pan base and transfer it to a serving platter. Spread a pat of butter over the cornbread and top with the cranberries and some thyme sprigs.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 8 servings |
| Calories | 940 |
| Total Fat | 56 g |
| Saturated Fat | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 51 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Protein | 57 g |
| Cholesterol | 255 mg |
| Sodium | 991 mg |
Reviews
Made them today…. They were great. Lots of flavor especially the cranberries on the corn. Will make again.
Amazing!! Texas fan here! These were great! Served with a side of warmed homemade BBQ sauce, ALL FLAVERS THERE!!
I can’t wait to make this again! Presentation was so impressive. It turned out beautifully and looked just like the picture. The flavor was so savory with the overnight rest with all of the freshly ground spices on the ribs. A delicious change from the usual bbq’d baby back ribs. They were also nicely tender. I thought the corn soufflé would be fussy but it was not at all. A great combination of flavors!
This recipe was disappointing. Not much flavor. Would not make again