Halloween Bloody Mary Ribs Recipe

Halloween food can be as delicious as it is scary. These Halloween Bloody Mary ribs are a case in point. They're made with a delicious mixture of tomato, garlic, vodka, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco just like the cocktail!

A couple of days before the party I went to buy ribs from the butcher. I took a look at the front cabinet and saw the pork spare ribs and the American baby back ribs but neither were exactly what I was looking for. I asked the butcher whether he had other pork ribs wink wink.

"You're not after beef ribs or lamb ribs?" the young, eager butcher asked smiling. He looked so freshly scrubbed and pink hued from the lights.

"No, definitely pork. I wanted something more...umm human looking" I said for lack of a better description.

Oh yes Dear Reader, if you ever want to see a butcher's face pale and his eyes look around to call for security, just ask if they have any meat that resembles human.

All I meant of course is that I wanted those thick, large pork ribs over the baby back ribs for maximum grotesque effect. His colleague found the ribs I was looking for-they're called "full ribs" and the butcher went on to be none the wiser as I didn't really explain why I wanted human looking ribs. I'm sure I'll get served by someone else next time...

Bloody Mary Ribs

An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott

Preparation time: 20 minutes plus overnight marinating time if you've got it

Cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes

• 2.5kgs/5.5lbs full pork ribs (you can also use American baby back ribs)
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, bashed and peeled
• 2 cups tomato juice
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• A few shakes of Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 cup redcurrant jelly
• 1/2 cup sweet chilli sauce
• Salt and Pepper

Step 1 - Marinate the ribs overnight in a baking tray with the onion, garlic, tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce. Turn over a few times if necessary. You can also do this in a zip lock bag if you have sturdy zip locks but mine kept breaking as this is quite a liquid marinade and the ribs are big. You know, human size ;)

Step 2 - Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a baking tray with sides with a couple of layer of foil (this is to save up on cleaning later). Place the ribs and the marinade meat side down and bake for 40 minutes.

Step 3 - Mix the jelly and sweet chilli sauce together. Take ribs out of oven and place the ribs meaty side up. Brush with the jelly or chilli jam and bake for another 25 minutes basting two or three times during this time. Season with salt and pepper and extra Tabasco if you want it super spicy.