Aloha from Disney’s Aulani Resort

Ah, Hawaii! It's a beautiful evening at Aulani as seen here in this incredible photograph by Insights and Sounds contributor, friend and photographer Len Yokoyama. (Make sure you check out his articles here, including eye catching trip reports for the Disney resorts including Tokyo!)

Disney and Hawaii - or more specifically the many cultures of the people of Polynesia- are intertwined in various ways. It's not just the Enchanted Tiki Room!  The love of the cultures also brought about Disneyland's Tahitian Terrace, Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort, The Spirit of Aloha dinner show, Trader Sams and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto watering holes, and perhaps the most beautiful of all, Disney's Aulani Resort on the island of Oahu. 

Last visit, we fell in love with the Spirit of Aloha's ribs! 

We discovered the recipe, and now we'll share it with those of you so inclined to try it at home. Aloha!

(Photograph copyright Len Yokoyama.)

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Disney's Spirit of Aloha -Polynesian Resort

Island Barbecued Pork Ribs

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

Select 2 each slabs of Raw Pork Spare Ribs (total – 4 lbs.)

Dry Seasoning

1 cup Kosher Salt

1 tsp Celery Salt

2 TBSP Mesquite Seasoning

1 TBSP Onion Powder

1 TBSP Garlic Powder

3 TBSP Sugar

1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Sauce

1 cup Tomato paste

1 TBSP Corn Syrup

1 TBSP Molasses

1 TBSP Dijon Mustard

2 TBSP Honey

1 cup Pineapple Juice

2 TBSP Rice Wine Vinegar

1 tsp Granulated Garlic

1 TBSP Onion Powder

1 TBSP Caramel

1/4 Tsp Smoked Liquid

Barbecue Sauce Preparation

1. In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mix well

2. Keep refrigerated

Preparation

1. Mix all dry ingredients and season lightly the pork rib slabs on both sides; let marinate for 12 hours.

2. Cook the seasoned pork ribs at 325°F for 1 hour.

3. Cut slabs of ribs while hot into individual pieces (one bone each) and place in baking dish.

4. Heat the barbecue sauce to a simmer and pour over the entire pork ribs.

5. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in a warm oven at 200° for 30-45 minutes.