Baby Back Ribs With Saba Slather Recipes

WHO LOVES YA BABY-BACK?

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Place each slab of baby back ribs on a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, shiny side down. Sprinkle each side generously with the dry rub. Pat the dry rub into the meat. Refrigerate the ribs for a minimum of 1 hour. In a microwavable container, combine all ingredients for the braising liquid. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
• Place the ribs on a baking sheet. Open one end of the foil on each slab and pour half of the braising liquid into each foil packet. Tilt the baking sheet in order to equally distribute the braising liquid. Braise the ribs in the oven for 2 1/2 hours.
• Transfer the braising liquid into a medium saucepot. Bring the liquid to a simmer and reduce by half or until of a thick syrup consistency. Brush the glaze onto the ribs. Place under the broiler just until the glaze caramelizes lightly. Slice each slab into 2 rib bone portions. Place the remaining hot glaze into a bowl and toss the rib portions in the glaze.

BABY BACK RIBS WITH SABA SLATHER

Steps:

• Place sage and garlic cloves in a food processor or mortar. Process to a paste. Place in a 1-quart bowl and add mustard, a generous amount of pepper and saba. Transfer half to a container, cover and refrigerate. Add wine, oil and vinegar to the rest to make a marinade.
• Cut rib racks in half. Place on a work surface, meaty side down. Work the point of a sharp knife under the thin membrane on the bone side of the ribs, enough so you can use a dish towel to grab the membrane and peel it off. Place ribs in a shallow dish in one or two layers. Pour marinade over, turn racks to coat, cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat oven to 275 degrees. Place ribs in a roasting pan. Pour marinade into a saucepan and add reserved saba mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes, until thickened. Set aside. Cover rib pan with foil. Bake 2 hours.
• Light a grill. Brush ribs with reduced marinade mixture. Grill about 6 inches from medium-hot coals or gas, basting and turning frequently until nicely browned and glazed, 15 to 20 minutes. Ribs can also be cooked under a broiler. Cut apart between bones, pile on a platter and garnish with sage.

PERFECT BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• For the dry rub: Place the salt, smoked and sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper and cayenne (if using) in a small bowl and mix with a fork until well blended.
• Sprinkle the ribs with the vinegar and rub into the flesh. Rub the dry rub mixture all over the ribs. (This may be done the night before for extra flavor, and placed in the refrigerator.)
• Spray the insert of a large (at least 6 quarts) slow cooker with nonstick spray. Place the ribs in the insert, cutting the racks in half if needed to fit. Pour the beer on the bottom of the insert. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender but still intact (about 9 hours).
• When the ribs are almost cooked, prepare a grill for high heat.
• Remove the cooked ribs from the slow cooker, blot any excessive (dripping) moisture and place them on the hot grill. Cook until a nice char is formed, 10 to 15 minutes, coating them with BBQ sauce (if using) as they cook.

PRIZE WINNING BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat a gas grill for high heat, or arrange charcoal briquettes on one side of the barbeque. Lightly oil the grate.
• In a small jar, combine cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Close the lid, and shake to mix.
• Trim the membrane sheath from the back of each rack. Run a small, sharp knife between the membrane and each rib, and snip off the membrane as much as possible. Sprinkle as much of the rub onto both sides of the ribs as desired. To prevent the ribs from becoming too dark and spicy, do not thoroughly rub the spices into the ribs. Store the unused portion of the spice mix for future use.
• Place aluminum foil on lower rack to capture drippings and prevent flare-ups. Lay the ribs on the top rack of the grill (away from the coals, if you're using briquettes). Reduce gas heat to low, close lid, and leave undisturbed for 1 hour. Do not lift the lid at all.
• Brush ribs with barbecue sauce, and grill an additional 5 minutes. Serve ribs as whole rack, or cut between each rib bone and pile individually on a platter.