Pork ribs are among our favorite cuts of meat. They seem to have just the right amount of fat, making them tender and juicy. Of course, most of us are familiar with classic barbeque ribs, but most barbeque sauces contain added sugars among the many processed ingredients and additives we need avoid. So, we’ll take the flavor in a slightly different direction, keeping the tomato base, common to most barbeque sauces, but add some red bell pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
Rosemary, an herb with considerable healing potential, contains a potent antioxidant called carnosic acid (CA). CA has been shown to activate a novel brain signaling pathway, thereby protecting brain cells from free radicals.1 It has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration, the most common eye disease in the United States. In a recent study, researchers found that CA protects the retinas in rodent with light-induced retinal damage.2
CA is but one of the antioxidants in Rosemary. According to a 2010 study published by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, rosemary is the 12th most potent dietary source of polyphenols.3 Polyphenols are organic plant compounds that behave like antioxidants. With this recipe, we’re chopping the rosemary very finely, which enables us increase its quantity. The taste is sublime and the health benefits are outstanding.
For hundreds of pure Paleo recipes be sure to check out The Real Paleo Diet Cookbook and The Real Paleo Diet Fast and Easy.
Christopher James Clark, B.B.A.
@nutrigrail
Nutritional Grail
www.ChristopherJamesClark.com
References
1. Burnham Institute for Medical Research. (November 2, 2007). Rosemary Chicken Protects Your Brain From Free Radicals. Science Daily. Retrieved from //www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071030102210.htm
2. Lipton, Stuart. (November 27, 2012). Protective Effect of Carnosic Acid, a Pro-Electrophilic Compound, in Models of Oxidative Stress and Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 53(12). Retrieved from //www.iovs.org/content/53/12/7847
3. Pérez-Jiménez, J., Neveu, V., Vos, F., and Scalbert, A. (November 2010). Identification of the 100 richest dietary sources of polyphenols: an application of the Phenol-Explorer database. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 64(Suppl. 3). Retrieved from //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21045839
Rosemary Tomato Pork Ribs
- Recipe by: Christopher Clark
- Serves: 4
- Meal: Dinner
- Serves: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
2 lb pork ribs
3-4 roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
2 small onions, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic
1 tbsp cumin
2 tbsp olive oil
5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 small bundle of fresh thyme
Freshly milled black pepper
Directions
Put the tomatoes, bell pepper, onions, garlic, cumin, black pepper, and olive oil into the blender; process until smooth.
Remove the stems from the rosemary and thyme. Chop the leaves finely.
Put the ribs into a baking dish. Add the tomato mixture and the herbs. Combine well and, time permitting, marinate for a few hours. (Marinating is not essential, but will enhance the flavors.)
Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes, periodically turning the ribs over and stirring the marinade. The ribs are finished when they are tender and you can easily strip the meat from the bones.
For a beautiful presentation, slice the ribs individually and add some fresh herbs for garnish.
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