Sweet N Smoky Kansas City Ribs Recipes

SWEET AND SMOKY RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°. Combine the chili powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, brown sugar, black pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the spice mix on both sides of each rack of ribs (use all of the spice mix). Wrap each rack individually in a double layer of foil and divide between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Bake the ribs until the meat will easily pull apart with a fork but the racks still hold together, about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
• When the ribs are finished roasting, preheat a grill to medium. Unwrap the ribs. Brush each side with 2 to 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce. Grill the ribs meat-side down until well marked and the ribs release easily from the grill, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and continue grilling until well marked on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and generously brush each rack with more sauce. Slice into 4-rib portions. Serve with watermelon and baguette.

KANSAS CITY SWEET-AND-SMOKY RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Trim each rack of ribs or have your butcher do this for you.
• 2. Place the ribs in a large nonreactive roasting pan. Pour the cider over the ribs. Squeeze the juice from the lemons over the ribs, catching the seeds with your fingers. Turn the ribs a couple of time to coat all over with marinade. If desired, let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for 4 to 6 hours, turning several times.
• 3. Drain the ribs and blot dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the rub on both sides of the ribs, patting it onto the meat with your fingers. Let the ribs stand in the refrigerator, covered, for 1 to 2 hours.
• 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a large drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat to high until you see smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.
• 5. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1 cup of wood chips on the coals. Place the ribs in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook the ribs for 2 to 3 hours. After 30 minutes, spray the ribs with apple cider and continue to spray every half hour until ready to brush with the sauce. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 12 fresh coals and 1/2 cup wood chips per side after each hour.
• 6. Lightly brush the ribs with 1 cup of the sauce 20 minutes before the ribs are done. When the ribs are fully cooked, the meat will have shrunk back from the bones about 1/4 inch, and the meat will be tender enough to tear apart with your fingers. But don't overcook; the ribs should have some chew to them. If the ribs start to dry out, wrap them in aluminum foil for the last hour of cooking.
• 7. Transfer the ribs to plates or a platter. Sprinkle the ribs with the remaining rub and lightly brush again with barbecue sauce. Let the ribs rest for a few minutes, then serve with the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
• VARIATION:
• You can also cook the ribs in a smoker. Smoke them for 4 to 5 hours at 225°F
• ALSO GOOD FOR:
• This is a wonderful way to prepare baby back ribs. In this case, you'll need to allow 1 to 1 1/2 hours for indirect grilling or 2 to 3 hours for cooking in a smoker.

KANSAS CITY-STYLE BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Line a large heavy rimmed baking sheet with foil and put rib racks side by side in pan.
• In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne and rub onto both sides of racks. Let ribs stand, meaty sides up, at room temperature, 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 325°. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake ribs 1 1/2 hours.
• Make sauce while ribs bake: Cook onion in oil in a 3-4-quart heavy pot over medium-low heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10-15 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients, including remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar, and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Cool sauce slightly and purée in a food processor. Set aside 1 cup sauce for serving.
• Remove foil cover and turn racks over so bone ends curve up, then baste ribs with pan juices and spread generously with some sauce. Continue to bake, uncovered, 30 minutes. Turn racks over, then baste again with pan juices and top generously with more sauce. Continue to bake until tender when pierced with a small knife, 30-45 minutes.
• Broil ribs, meaty sides up, 4"-6" inches from heat, until browned, 2-3 minutes. Serve with reserved sauce.

KANSAS CITY SWEET AND SMOKY BARBECUE RUB

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir or whisk to mix. Transfer to a large jar, cover, and store away from heat and light. The rub will keep for several weeks.

KANSAS CITY-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and seasonings; sprinkle over ribs. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour., For sauce, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 5-6 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat., Wrap ribs in a large piece of heavy-duty foil; seal edges of foil. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat until ribs are tender, 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours., Carefully remove ribs from foil. Place ribs over direct medium heat; baste with some of the sauce. Grill, covered, until browned, 8-10 minutes, turning and basting occasionally with remaining sauce.