It seems that everybody loves ribs, and riblets are a very popular offering in some chain restaurants. The difference is that riblets are simply smaller pieces cut from a full rack. They usually come in strips that are approximately 2” wide by 6” long, and are often served as appetizers. Since the riblets are so small, Halloween chefs everywhere can pass them off as ribs from a smaller animal or rodent, such as a rat (yuck!). When cooked until very tender, riblets are delicious, and these Revolting Rat Ribs are no exception. They keep with the hard, fast rule for Halloween dishes to be made of the highest quality fresh (edible – no bugs or innards, or other gross things) ingredients. These are also very easy and made in the Instant Pot. All you have to do is brown them, then pour two ingredients over, and cook on the slow cooker setting for about 8 hours. The sauce is then reduced on the sauté setting and it is poured over the riblets.

To make your rat ribs even scarier, garnish them with a clean, unused (Duh!) large mouse trap or a rubber rat. The Ah-So sauce is only sold on the east coast, so I cloned it a few years ago and have included the recipe so you don’t have to order it online. I have not found a comparable product anywhere else, but it’s worth making.

12 Servings

4 to 5 pounds pork riblets

1/2 cup honey
11 ounces Ah-So Barbecue Sauce, - if not available in your area, recipe below

Parsley, for garnish

1. Spray the pan of an Instant Pot with non-stick spray; turn it to the sauté setting and brown the strips of riblets on both sides in batches.
2. When all are browned, place them in the pot. Cover with the honey and Ah-So Barbecue Sauce.
3. Set the pot to slow cook for 6-8 hours or until the ribs are very tender.
4. Remove the riblets from the pot, transfer to a serving platter and keep warm.
5. Turn the put to the sauté setting and let the sauce boil until it is reduced by half.
6. Pour over the riblets, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

Ah-So Sauce is a Chinese-American style BBQ sauce, made by Allied Old English, Inc., Port Reading, New Jersey. It is mostly used to mimic the spareribs served in the old-fashioned Chinese restaurants. Ah-So is generally available only in New England and surrounding areas, but can be ordered online. This version is almost identical to the original.

3/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons miso paste

Gel or paste red food coloring

1. Whisk together the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup.
2. Microwave 3 minutes; stir, and microwave an additional 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is boiling and thickened.
3. Stir in enough red food coloring to make a bright red clear sauce; cool.