RECIPE FOR BABY BACK RIBS RECIPES

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix the rub ingredients.
• Using a dull knife, slide the tip under the membrane covering the back of each rack of ribs. Lift and loosen the membrane until it breaks, then grab a corner of it with a paper towel and pull it off. Cut each rack crosswise in the middle to create two smaller racks. Season the racks all over, putting more of the rub on the meaty sides than the bone sides. Arrange the racks in a rib rack, with all the bones facing the same direction. Allow the racks to stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• If using wood chips, soak in water for at least 30 minutes (no need to soak wood chunks).
• Place a large disposable foil pan underneath the cooking grate to catch the drippings. You may have to smash the foil pan a bit, but that’s okay. Or, if you’re using a charcoal grill, place the foil pan on the charcoal grate between two piles of charcoal. Prepare the grill for indirect cooking over low heat (250° to 350°F).
• Add two wood chunks to the charcoal or drain and add two handfuls of wood chips to the charcoal or to the smoker box of a gas grill, following manufacturer’s instructions. Place the rib rack on the cooking grate over indirect low heat, close the lid, and cook for 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the sauce and the mop.
• In a small saucepan mix the barbecue sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat on the stove, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer to blend the flavors, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• In another small saucepan mix the mop ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat on the stove, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer to blend the flavors, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• After the first hour, add the remaining wood chunks to the charcoal or drain and add the remaining wood chips to the charcoal or to the smoker box. Lightly baste the ribs with some mop. Close the lid and cook for another hour. If you're using a charcoal grill, replenish the charcoal as needed to maintain a steady temperature between 250° to 300°F, adding 8 to 10 unlit briquettes after every 45 minutes to 1 hour of cooking time. Leave the lid off the grill for about 5 minutes to help the new briquettes light.
• After the second hour, remove the ribs from the rib rack. Spread the racks out on a clean work area and baste them thoroughly with some mop. Put them back in the rib rack, again all facing the same direction but this time turned over so that the ends facing down earlier now face up. Also, position any ribs that appear to be cooking faster than the others toward the back of the rib rack. Close the lid and cook for another hour. Maintain the temperature of the grill between 250° to 300°F.
• After 3 hours of cooking, check if any rack is ready to come off the grill. They are done when the meat has shrunk back from most of the bones by about ½ inch. When you lift a rack by picking up one end with tongs, bone side up, the rack should bend in the middle and the meat should tear easily. If the meat does not tear easily, continue to cook the racks. The total cooking time could be anywhere between 3 to 4 hours. Not all racks will cook in the same amount of time. Lightly brush the cooked racks with some sauce and, if desired for crispiness, cook them over direct heat for a few minutes. Transfer to a sheet pan and tightly cover with aluminum foil. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Cut the racks between the bones into individual ribs. Serve warm with the remaining sauce on the side.

Steps:

• Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill to high.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large resealable bag or nonreactive container; combine the vinegar, water, 1 tablespoon of the salt and 1 tablespoon of the pepper, 4 of the garlic cloves and the ribs. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes only.
• Remove the ribs from the brine and season both sides with the remaining salt and pepper. Sear the ribs on an indoor grill or outdoor if available, until lightly browned.
• In a large roasting pan, fitted with a rack, arrange the ribs on the rack and pour in half of the beer. Drink or discard the remaining beer. Add the onion and remaining garlic cloves. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and put into the hot oven. Reduce the heat to 300 and roast for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the foil and baste the ribs with the BBQ Sauce. Roast for 7 minutes, then turn the ribs over, baste again and roast for another 7 minutes.
• Remove the ribs from the oven to a cutting board and slice between the ribs. Arrange on a serving platter and serve.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and serrano and cook until the onion is translucent. Stir in the garlic and the ginger and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer, being cautious not to burn the mixture. Deglaze the pan with the vinegar and then add the raspberries, jam and molasses. Stir to combine, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender, then strain through a sieve into a bowl or jar, to remove the seeds, pushing the sauce through as much as possible. Can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to a week.