RIBS 250 DEGREES RECIPES

Steps:

• Prepare the ribs (see below). Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin, mustard powder and 2 tablespoons salt in a small bowl. Rub the ribs all over with the cut sides of the lemon and then the spice mixture and place in a large roasting pan or resealable plastic bag. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Meanwhile, soak the wood chips in water 1 hour, then prepare your grill for smoking, filling the smoker box with one-quarter each of the wood chips and apple.
• About 30 minutes before smoking, remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature. Meanwhile, combine the apple juice, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar in a small spray bottle. Shake to mix.
• Once the grill reaches 250 degrees F, lightly brush the grates with vegetable oil and place the ribs on the cooler side of the grill, meat-side up. Spray with the apple juice mixture. Close the grill and let smoke 1 hour.
• Replenish the smoker box with another one-quarter each of the wood chips and apple. Flip the ribs so they're meat-side down with the opposite edge of the racks closer to the smoker box. Spray with the apple juice mixture; close the grill and let smoke 1 more hour. Repeat this process every hour until the ribs are dark brown and tender and the meat starts to shrink away from the bones, about 2 more hours. Remove the ribs from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• How to prep your ribs:
• Position the ribs meat-side down. Insert a paring knife under the membrane that covers the back of the rack. Loosen the membrane with the knife. Grab the membrane with your fingers and peel off completely.

Steps:

• One day before cooking, season the short ribs liberally with salt. Allow the meat to marinate in the refrigerator, uncovered, overnight.
• The next day, pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. Heat a cast-iron Dutch oven over medium-high to high heat. Add a thin film of canola oil and sear the ribs until brown and crusty, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a plate to rest.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Drain the scorched oil from the Dutch oven. Add a thin film of fresh canola oil, then add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and sweat the vegetables until translucent, about 5 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen the brown bits. Add the tomatoes and continue to cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and break down, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the red wine, chicken stock and peppercorns, then put the ribs back in the pot. Tie the thyme, rosemary and bay leaves in a piece of cheesecloth and add the herb sachet to the pot.
• Bring the liquid to a simmer. Partially cover the pot to let some of the liquid evaporate and transfer to the oven. Braise the short ribs until they're nearly falling apart, about 3 hours. Serve with grits and fried shallots if desired. Garnish with chives