Oaxacan Style Pork Ribs Recipes

OAXACAN-STYLE PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Remove the papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs; place the ribs in a roasting pan.
• Combine the garlic, thyme, oregano, marjoram, salt, cinnamon stick, allspice berries, cloves, vinegar, and 3 tablespoons water in a blender or spice mill; process to a smooth paste, adding more water, if needed.
• Rub this paste over the ribs on both sides, cover, and let marinate, in the refrigerator, at least overnight and up to 24 hours.
• Preheat grill to medium; when ready to cook, season the ribs with salt; oil the grill grate, then arrange the ribs on the hot grate, meaty side down.
• Grill the ribs until nicely browned and cooked through, 30-40 minutes in all, turning once or twice with tongs.
• Cut the racks into sections of 2 or 4 ribs for serving; serve with Salsa Mexicana.
• To make the salsa--cut tomatoes, onion, and chiles into 1/4-inch dice (you can soften the bite of the chiles by scraping out the veins and seeds); combine in a serving bowl.
• Add in cilantro, lime juice, and salt; toss to mix; adjust seasoning to taste by adding more lime juice or salt.

SPICY SLOW-COOKED COUNTRY RIB TACOS

Steps:

• For the barbecue sauce: In the bowl of a blender, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, mustard, garlic, chipotles and sauce and onion. Season generously with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
• For the ribs: In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, cayenne, chili powder, 2 tablespoons salt and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Sprinkle the ribs with the rub on all sides.
• In a skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the ribs and brown on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Transfer to a slow cooker.
• Add the barbecue sauce, Mexican oregano and enough chicken stock to come halfway up the ribs. Set the slow cooker to high and cook, 8 to 10 hours. Remove the ribs and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. (Discard the fat.) Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Whisk to combine (the sauce may separate during cooking) and transfer to a serving bowl.
• Construct tacos by spreading the tortillas with sauce and topping with pork, cucumbers, avocado wedges, cabbage, Cotija, radishes, pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Remove the thin, papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs by pulling it off in a sheet with your fingers, using the corner of a kitchen towel to gain a secure grip, or with pliers. Combine the ingredients for the rub in a small bowl and whisk to mix. Rub two thirds of this mixture over the ribs on both sides, then transfer the ribs to a roasting pan. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, 4 to 8 hours.2. Set up the grill for indirect grilling, placing a large drip pan in the center. If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium. If using a gas grill, place the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.3. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss half the wood chips on the coals. Oil the grill grate. Arrange the ribs on the hot grate over the drip pan. Cover the grill and smoke-cook the ribs for 1 hour.4. Meanwhile, prepare the mop sauce (if using). Mix together the mustard, vinegar, and salt in a bowl and set aside.5. When the ribs have cooked for an hour, uncover the grill and brush the ribs with the mop sauce (if using). If using a charcoal grill, toss the remaining wood chips on the fire. Continue cooking the ribs until tender and almost done, 1/2 to 1 hour longer for baby back ribs, somewhat longer for spare-ribs. If using charcoal, after 1 hour add 10 to 12 fresh coals per side to the grill. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and it has shrunk back from the ends of the bones. Fifteen minutes before the end, season the ribs with the remaining rub, sprinkling it on.6. To serve, cut the racks in half, or for a plate-burying effect, just leave them whole.Serves 6Note: I like my ribs served dry, in the style of Memphis's legendary barbecue haunt, the Rendezvous. If you want to serve them with a sauce.

CHILE-MARINATED PORK IN THE STYLE OF OAXACA / CECINA ADOBADA

Steps:

• 1. If using the chiles, tear them open and remove the veins and seeds. Soak the chiles in the vinegar for 30 minutes, or until soft.2. Combine the chiles (or chile powder), vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves in a blender and process to a smooth, wet paste.3. Cut the pork loin into 4 broad, thin (1/4 inch thick) sheets. Spread each piece of pork with the adobo mixture and stack in a nonreactive baking dish. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 6 hours.4. Preheat the grill to high.5. When ready to grill, oil the grill grate. Arrange the slices on the hot grate and grill, turning with tongs, until nicely browned and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.6. Serve immediately, accompanied by the tortillas, the guacamole, and salsa, wrapping the pork and condiments in the tortillas.Serves 4

OAXACAN-STYLE PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Salsa Mexicana (recipe follows)1. Remove the thin, papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs by pulling it off in a sheet with your fingers, using one corner of a kitchen towel to gain a secure grip, or with pliers. Place the ribs in a roasting pan.2. Combine the garlic, thyme, oregano, marjoram, 2 teaspoons salt, the cinnamon stick, allspice berries, cloves, vinegar, and 3 tablespoons water in a blender or spice mill and process to a smooth paste, adding more water, if needed. Rub this paste over the ribs on both sides, cover, and let marinate, in the refrigerator, at least overnight and up to 24 hours.3. Preheat the grill to medium.4. When ready to cook, season the ribs with salt. Oil the grill grate, then arrange the ribs on the hot grate, meaty side down. Grill the ribs until nicely browned and cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes in all, turning once or twice with tongs (see Note). 5. Cut the racks into sections of 2 or 4 ribs for serving. Pass the Salsa Mexicana.Serves 4Note: You'll probably get flare-ups-especially as the fat melts in the beginning. Control them by moving the ribs around on the grate or by squirting the fire a few times with a water pistol.

RASTA RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Remove the thin, papery skin from the back of each rack of ribs by pulling it off in a sheet with your fingers, using one corner of a kitchen towel to gain a secure grip, or with pliers. Place the ribs in a nonreactive roasting pan and pour the rum over them, turning the ribs to coat completely. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 4 hours, turning occasionally.2. Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the jerk seasoning in a spice mill or blender and grind to a fine powder.3. Drain the ribs and blot dry with paper towels. Rub half the jerk mixture over the ribs on both sides, cover, and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 1 hour.4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling, placing a large drip pan in the center. If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium. If using a gas grill, place the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.5. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss half the wood chips on the coals. Arrange the ribs on the hot grate, over the drip pan. Cover the grill and smoke-cook the ribs until the meat is very tender and it has shrunk back from the ends of the bones, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If using a charcoal grill, after 1 hour add 10 to 12 fresh coals per side and the remaining 1 cup wood chips.6. Transfer the ribs to a platter and season with the remaining rub, sprinkling it on. Serve immediately.Serves 4