We decided to make bbq pork ribs, along side my favorite kale salad and some roasted heirloom baby potatoes and heirloom carrots. Mom made the most delicious blueberry pie for dessert. None of us are blueberry pie fans, but everyone LOVED the one mom made. yum.
Not having a huge grill outside, we opted for the [mostly] oven method for the ribs - a technique we'd never tried before, but one that has become our favorite. Not only did it seem easier than doing it all on the grill, it tasted amazing. And with Carsten's homemade bbq sauce on top, it was perfect.
Spice Rub
Ingredients (all measurement are approximations)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup paprika
1 Tbs black pepper
1 Tbs salt
1 Tbs chili powder
1 Tbs garlic powder
1 Tbs onion powder
1 tsp cayenne
some Italian Spices
Cocoa powder
BBQ Sauce (adapted from a smittenkitchen recipe)
Ingredients (makes about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups yellow onion, very finely chopped 1 Tbs minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
12 oz tomato paste (2 6-oz cans)
1 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup honey
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 cup hoisin sauce
2 Tbs chili powder
1 Tbs ground cumin
1/2 Tbs crushed red pepper flakes
2-3 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
brown sugar, to taste
Procedure
In a large saucepan on low heat, saute the onions and garlic with the vegetable oil for 10 to 15 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the brown sugar. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 30 minutes. Add brown sugar to taste, and continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Use immediately or store in the fridge.
BBQ Ribs
Procedure
Start with good quality pork baby back ribs. We found ours at Costco - plenty for 10 people. Let meat sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Remove the thick membrane on the bone side of the ribs. Mix all of the rub ingredients together in a small bowl, then rub it over both sides of the meat. Using large aluminum foil, tear off two sheets, about 6 inches longer than the rack of ribs. Place them, shiny side down, on the counter, then lay one rack of ribs in the middle of the foil. Fold the foil around the meat to seal it, making sure to turn seems up, so that juice doesn't drip all over your oven. Repeat with remaining racks.
Place the ribs in the oven and cook for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Check at 2 hours. When the meat starts pulling away from the bone, it's done.
Remove meat from the oven, and take out of the foil. At this point, we cut each rack into three or four portions, to make grilling [and serving] easier. Heat your grill to medium high. Brush both sides of the ribs with bbq sauce, then grill fro 2-5 minutes on each side, until the sauce is bubbling and the meat is crisping ever so slightly. Serve immediately.
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| Uncle Rob's 54 mile birthday run! |
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| We joined him for a bit! |
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