The term ‘spare ribs’ does not actually describe leftover bones from pigs or cows but comes from the German word ribbesper which roughly means to cook ribs on a spit. Ribs are an inexpensive cut of meat taken from the lower half of the animal and are very popular in southern American cuisine.

Alternatively, you could cook the ribs on a preheated barbeque for an authentic charred flavour

Beef spare ribs would also work well in this recipe

You could swap the barbecue sauce for a different glaze such as the honey, soy and tomato ketchup recipe used by Josh Eggleton in his Barbecued sticky ribs. Marcus Wareing adds peanut butter to his marinade for Sticky sesame pork ribs.

Ribs are delicious as part of a barbecue feast or simply served with bread rolls and coleslaw.