How to cook babybacks

[Tab]

I might have posted this, I don't recall, but if I did it was a few years ago.

One of my "quests" was how to properly cook babyback ribs (which I love). Invariably I'd put sauce on them and grill them and they'd turn out like crispy crap.

Thus the adventure began. Sparing (no pun intended) you the details, this is what I ended up with:

You can cook and serve babybacks in as little as two hours.

Take a deep-ish pan, put some racks in it, and add liquid. I used a can or two of Foster's. Maybe a can and a half, and drink the last half (this was when I was drinking).

Cut the baby back racks into sections of about four or five ribs each.

Rub each with Margarlitas rub (or whatever your preference, but this stuff works really well).



Wrap (cover, really) with aluminum foil, and steam for about 90 mins to 2 hrs max

Remove, finish on grill (mainly for grill flavor), basting with apple bbq sauce. No specific one, but apple flavored is the best.

Enjoy!

[Tesha]

1. best ever way...

We use several different rubs, what ever moves us at the moment, then
- steam them for an hour at a very low temp
- then uncover them and coat them lightly with your bbq sauce and roast for another 30 minutes or so, until they fall apart
- no grill needed
- but everyone will swoon over your Bar-B-Que skills...

[sandnsea]

2. We use apple cider

in place of the Fosters. Then grill with a spicy bbq sauce. My mother always did it that way, no matter what kind of ribs she was making.

[cbayer]

3. What temperature do you set the over for? nt.

[Tab]

4. Good question

I had it on low - as a convection, it won't go below 300; as a regular oven, perhaps I did it at 275 or so.

It doesn't need to be high, just high enough to invoke steam. Sorry to be so imprecise, but I'm more of an improvisatioinal cook; I don't keep track of this stuff, I just do. That said, it was probably just below 300, and I ran it for about 90 minutes or so.

- Tab

[cbayer]

5. LOL, and I am a scientist who can't even use shampoo without reading the label first.

I have now cooked them for about 90 minutes on about 300. I used beer and a rub. They smell delicious and seem to be barely clinging to the bone, so I am going to take them out. Plan to throw them on the grill just long enough to brown. Is that right?

Wish I had some baked beans!

Thanks.

[sandnsea]

7. My mouth is watering

I bet you're eating them as I type. And, Bush's Baked Beans are delicious, not quite as good as homemade, but pretty darn close. Let them lightly simmer for 15 minutes or so.

[Tab]

8. I'm merely a computer scientist

but I would hate for you to have improperly cooked ribs. Why don't you send me your efforts, and when you get it right, I'll let you know. It's for your own protection, you know.

Just part of the all-inclusive effort of DU, FYI. I promise I won't enjoy them (*ahem*).

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. You've inspired me

There are ribs on my shopping list for the next market hit, but, in the meantime, I was curious about rubs, and I found this wonderful site:

http://bbq.about.com/od/rubrecipes/Rub_Recipes_Recipes_for_all_kinds_of_rubs_for_all_kinds_of_meats.htm

The one that really got me - and I'll be assembling it tonight because I'm so thrilled with how it sounds, is this one:

http://bbq.about.com/od/rubrecipes/r/bl91211a.htm

Thank you SO much for this information, Tab. You just might have changed a life or two.

Happy New Year, pal. Here's hoping it's the best you've ever known.

:toast:

[Vinca]

9. I bought some ribs yesterday to have this evening.

I'm about to give them a spice rub and let them sit for a few hours. I'll put them in the oven at 275 for 3-4 hours, then put some BBQ sauce on them and throw them under the broiler for a few minutes.

[spinbaby]

10. We use Alton Brown's recipe

Who Loves Ya Baby-Back Ribs. They're a bit fiddly but very tasty. They also involve foil.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/who-loves-ya-baby-back-recipe/index.html