Perfect BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Zest of 2 large oranges
1 C. fresh orange juice
¾ C. maple-flavored pancake syrup
1 Tbsp. chili sauce paste with garlic
7 lbs. Baby Back ribs
Salt
¼ C. ketchup
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. water

Mix the orange zest, juice, and pancake syrup. Add the chili paste in a large bowl. Divide the ribs between two 1-gallon zippered plastic bags. Pour half of the marinade into each bag and close. Marinate the ribs in the refrigerator for at least 2 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the ribs from the marinade and arrange in a roasting pan large enough to hold them without crowding. Reserve the marinade. Lightly season ribs with salt and cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake the ribs for 1 ¼ hours. Remove the foil and turn the ribs. Continue baking until ribs are tender, about 1 hour more.

Meanwhile, combine the reserved marinade and ketchup in a medium saucepan. Cook over high heat until the marinade is reduced to 1 C., about 10 minutes. Stir the dissolved cornstarch into the marinade to thicken it and turn it into a glaze for the ribs. Set the glaze aside.

When the ribs are tender, increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Brush the ribs generously with the glaze. Bake until the glaze on the ribs bubbles, about 15 minutes. Serve hot.