Ribs
Cooking Guide: Back & Side Ribs
Preparation: On the concave surface of all ribs is a thin, translucent membrane. This membrane is tough and will prevent any flavouring to get to the rib meat, and so should be removed.
To remove membrane: Insert a metal spoon handle under the membrane at one end of the rib rack and detach a corner. Then grab the detached flap and gently tear it away from the ribs. It should come off in one clean pull.
DO NOT BOIL your Pork Ribs: this has been the accepted method for generations, but there is a better way! If using a dry rub, apply to the ribs. One back rib rack will need about one tablespoon (15 mL) of rub, a side rib rack will need two tablespoons (30 mL). In a cookie sheet or shallow roasting pan, add about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) of water. Add a few slices of lemon or orange to the pan. Place the ribs, meaty side up, on the pan in a single layer. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place in oven at 325°F (160°C).
Back Ribs: Cook for between 1 and 1 and a half hours, or until meat is easily pierced with a metal skewer.
Side Ribs: Cook for between 1 and a half and 2 hours, or until meat is easily pierced with a metal skewer.
Tip: At this stage the ribs can be cooled and refrigerated for up to three days.
To Finish Cooking: Ribs can be finished on the BBQ (grilled) or in the oven. To finish in the oven, remove foil and turn oven up to broil, brush ribs with your favourite BBQ sauce and broil for about 3 minutes (if ribs are hot) or until sizzling and golden. Turn ribs over and repeat with BBQ sauce and broil again. For the ultimate ribs, repeat brushing sauce and broiling or BBQing on each side. Watch carefully when broiling, so that they do not burn.
Tip: Cooking times can be reduced by adding HOT liquid to baking tray.
Tip: Line the cookie sheet or roasting pan with parchment paper if you are going to finish the ribs in the oven (under the broiler).
Tip: Cooking times will vary depending on how many rib racks are being cooked at once; more ribs means a longer cooking time.
Grilling Pork Ribs:
Grilling Pork RibsPreheat BBQ on HIGH, then reduce heat to MEDIUM. Place ribs on the grill and baste with your favourite BBQ sauce. As soon as the ribs begin to brown, turn and baste. Continue doing this for about 20 minutes. Eventually the ribs will begin to turn a beautiful mahogany colour from a build-up of cooked sauce applied in multiple layers. Ensure that the ribs are hot all the way through.
Indirect Cooking (barbecuing) Pork Ribs:
Back ribs can be grilled without prior cooking, i.e. from raw. The best way to do this is to use the indirect cooking method. Heat barbecue to about 250°F (120°C), turn off one side and place ribs on the “off” side. If using barbecue sauce start basting after thirty minutes, and continue until ribs are cooked and tender, between 1 and a half and 2 and a half hours total. Turn ribs every 20 minutes or so. If using a rub, apply before you start grilling. If using charcoal, wait until coals have died down, bank the coals to one side, and grill on the other side. Keep the lid of the barbecue down, and try to maintain a temperature of 250°F (120°C) throughout the cooking process.
Oven roasting:
Place steamed ribs in a roasting tray and baste with your favourite BBQ sauce. Place in oven at 300° (150°C). Continue basting with sauce every five minutes or so, turning ribs each time, for a total of 30 minutes.
Slow Cooker:
Pork ribs, especially side ribs, can also be done in the slow cooker with great results. There are many different slow cooker recipes for ribs, depending on the type of sauce you like, but generally slow-cooked ribs are saucy and extremely tender.