RIBS PREPARATION RECIPES

Steps:

• Spray inside of 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
• Remove inner skin from ribs; cut into 4-inch pieces. Mix brown sugar, salt, pepper, liquid smoke and garlic; rub mixture into ribs. Layers ribs and onion in slow cooker. Pour cola over ribs.
• Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until tender. Remove ribs from slow cooker. Drain and discard liquid.
• Pour barbecue sauce into shallow bowl. Dip ribs into sauce. Place ribs in slow cooker. Pour any remaining sauce over ribs. Cover and cook on low heat setting 1 hour. Note: This recipe was tested in slow cookers with heating elements in the side and bottom of the cooker, not in cookers that stand only on a heated base. For slow cookers with just a heated base, follow the manufacturer’s directions for layering ingredients and choosing a temperature.

Steps:

• Place racks in upper third and middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a double layer of foil. Mix 3 Tbsp. brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. kosher salt, and 1 Tbsp. Chinese five-spice powder in a small bowl to make a rub.
• Cut 2 3-lb. racks St. Louis-style ribs in half (to create 4 smaller pieces). Transfer to prepared sheet. Season all over with spice rub, being sure to coat sides and edges and to gently press the rub into the meat. Pour 1½ cups water into baking sheet, then cover tightly with foil. Bake on middle rack until meat is very tender and bones are exposed, 100–115 minutes. If racks of ribs you're cooking are much smaller than called for, check early—they'll cook in less time.
• Meanwhile, whisk ½ cup hoisin sauce, ½ cup soy sauce, 3 Tbsp. honey, and remaining 1 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder in a small saucepan to combine.
• Peel and finely grate 4" piece ginger and 5 garlic cloves into saucepan. Heat over medium and bring to simmer, whisking often. Cook, stirring, until just thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 2–3 minutes longer. Cover pot; set aside until ribs are ready.
• When ribs are cooked and tender, carefully remove and discard top layer of foil from baking sheet. Preheat broiler.
• Brush half of sauce over ribs, turning ribs with tongs to coat both sides. Arrange flesh side (convex side) up. Transfer to top rack of oven and broil until ribs are lacquered in sauce and caramelized in some parts, 4–5 minutes. Remove from oven and brush remaining sauce over.
• Transfer ribs to a cutting board. Cut in between each bone to separate ribs. Transfer to a platter or serve right off cutting board.