Slow-Cooked Pork Baby-Back Ribs

Slow-Cooked Pork Baby-Back Ribs

Ingredients

For the Dry Rub

1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

3 tablespoons paprika

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 (2 1/2-pound) racks baby back pork ribs

1 tablespoon kosher salt

mesquite wood chips soaked in water for 1 hour

aluminum broiler pan

For the Barbecue Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 whole onion (chopped)

2 cloves garlic finely chopped

1 teaspoon paprika

1 cup white distilled vinegar

1/2 cup brandy

1 cup beef broth

1 cup chicken broth

2 cups ketchup

3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

3 dried chipotle chilies soaked

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 whole Granny Smith apples (peeled cored and cut into a small dice)

1 whole lemon (cut in half)

Method

Mix the brown sugar paprika black pepper oregano cumin and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl. Rub the ribs with the salt. Sprinkle the dry rub evenly over the ribs on both sides and massage the rub into the meat. Wrap the ribs in foil and refrigerate overnight.

Prepare a barbecue for low heat about 250 degrees F. Drain the water from the wood chips and set the wood chips in the broiler pan. Place the broiler pan to one far side of the barbecue over the coals or heating source until it begins to smolder. Turn off the heat from under the pan of wood chips.

Meanwhile remove the foil from the ribs. Lay the ribs on a baking sheet and set the baking sheet directly on the grill over the hot coals or burners that remain on. Close the lid of the barbecue and cook until the meat around the bones is very tender turning the ribs over once about 1 ½ hours. It may be necessary to occasionally open the barbecue lid or slightly prop the lid open to regulate temperature from getting too high.

To make the barbecue sauce:

Meanwhile melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until very tender about 3 minutes. Stir in the paprika.

Stir in the vinegar then the brandy. Simmer for 3 minutes.

Add the beef broth and chicken broth.

Stir in the ketchup brown sugar soaked chipotle chilies Worcestershire sauce salt dry mustard black pepper and cayenne pepper. Add the apples.

Squeeze the lemon juice from the lemon into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer over high heat then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly stirring occasionally about 1 hour.

Once the meat around the ribs becomes tender remove the ribs from the baking sheet and place the ribs directly on the grill. Or if desired keep the ribs on the baking sheet throughout the remaining cooking time for easier clean up.

Begin brushing the ribs lightly with the barbecue sauce allowing the sauce to set a bit before applying the next coat.

Continue brushing the ribs with the barbecue sauce turning as needed and making sure both sides are evenly coated.

Once the meat pulls away from the bone easily remove the ribs from the grill. Let rest for about 5 minutes and brush generously with the reserved barbecue sauce.

Cut the rack into individual ribs.

Arrange the ribs on a platter and serve with the remaining sauce.