Sweet And Smoky Ribs Recipes

SWEET SMOKED PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Stir salt, white sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, and cumin together in a small bowl to make the dry rub. Rub the spice mixture into the baby back ribs on all sides. Wrap the ribs well with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
• Unwrap baby back ribs and place onto the wire racks of the smoker in a single layer.
• Place the racks into a smoker, fill the smoker pan with apple, grape, pear, or cherry chips, and bring the smoker to 270 degrees F (130 degrees C). Smoke for 1 hour.
• Stir together the apple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and the barbeque sauce. Brush the ribs with the sauce every 30 to 45 minutes after the first hour. Cook the ribs in the smoker until the meat is no longer pink and begins to "shrink" back from the bones, 3 to 4 hours. Brush the sauce onto the ribs one last time 30 minutes before the ribs are ready to be taken out of the smoker.
• Once the ribs are done, wrap them tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow the juices to reabsorb into the meat and make the ribs moist.

SWEET AND SMOKY RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°. Combine the chili powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, brown sugar, black pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the spice mix on both sides of each rack of ribs (use all of the spice mix). Wrap each rack individually in a double layer of foil and divide between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Bake the ribs until the meat will easily pull apart with a fork but the racks still hold together, about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
• When the ribs are finished roasting, preheat a grill to medium. Unwrap the ribs. Brush each side with 2 to 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce. Grill the ribs meat-side down until well marked and the ribs release easily from the grill, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and continue grilling until well marked on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and generously brush each rack with more sauce. Slice into 4-rib portions. Serve with watermelon and baguette.

KANSAS CITY SWEET-AND-SMOKY RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Trim each rack of ribs or have your butcher do this for you.
• 2. Place the ribs in a large nonreactive roasting pan. Pour the cider over the ribs. Squeeze the juice from the lemons over the ribs, catching the seeds with your fingers. Turn the ribs a couple of time to coat all over with marinade. If desired, let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for 4 to 6 hours, turning several times.
• 3. Drain the ribs and blot dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the rub on both sides of the ribs, patting it onto the meat with your fingers. Let the ribs stand in the refrigerator, covered, for 1 to 2 hours.
• 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat to high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.
• 5. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1 cup of wood chips on the coals. Place the ribs in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook the ribs for 2 to 3 hours. After 30 minutes, spray the ribs with apple cider and continue to spray every half hour until ready to brush with the sauce. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 12 fresh coals and 1/2 cup wood chips per side after each hour.
• 6. Lightly brush the ribs with 1 cup of the sauce 20 minutes before the ribs are done. When the ribs are fully cooked, the meat will have shrunk back from the bones about 1/4 inch, and the meat will be tender enough to tear apart with your fingers. But don't overcook; the ribs should have some chew to them. If the ribs start to dry out, wrap them in aluminum foil for the last hour of cooking.
• 7. Transfer the ribs to plates or a platter. Sprinkle the ribs with the remaining rub and lightly brush again with barbecue sauce. Let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then serve with the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
• VARIATION:
• You can also cook the ribs in a smoker. Smoke them for 4 to 5 hours at 225°F
• ALSO GOOD FOR:
• This is a wonderful way to prepare baby back ribs. In this case, you'll need to allow 1 to 1 1/2 hours for indirect grilling or 2 to 3 hours for cooking in a smoker.