Memphis Rub By Steven Raichlen Food

MEMPHIS-STYLE RIBS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the ribs and rub: 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.
• 2. Combine the paprika, black pepper, brown sugar, salt, celery salt, cayenne, garlic powder, dry mustard, and cumin 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 cure, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 8 hours.
• 3. Prepare the mop sauce (if using): Mix together the cider vinegar, mustard, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
• 4. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and place a large drip pan in the center.
• If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high; when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.
• If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium.
• 5. When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss the wood chips on the coals. Brush and 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.
• 6. When the ribs have cooked for an hour, uncover the grill and brush the ribs with the mop sauce (if using). Re-cover the grill and continue cooking the ribs until tender and almost done, 1/4 to 1/2 hour longer for baby back ribs, 1/2 to 1 hour longer for spareribs. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and has shrunk back from the ends of the bones. If using a charcoal grill, you'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side after 1 hour. Fifteen minutes before the ribs are done, season them with the remaining rub, sprinkling it on.
• 7. To serve, cut the racks in half or, for a plate-burying effect, just leave them whole.

MEMPHIS DRY RUB RIBS (STEVEN RAICHLEN)

Steps:

• You will need a barbecue mop.
• Make the rub: add the rub ingredients to a bowl; stir to mix.
• Store rub in an airtight container away from heat and light; will keep for 6 months.
• Make the mop sauce-add the vinegar, salt, and rub in a bowl; add 1 cup water; whisk until the salt dissolves; set aside.
• Remove the thin, papery membrane from the back of each rack of ribs.
• Generously season the ribs all over with salt and pepper.
• Set up grill for direct grilling (charcoal is more accurate); preheat to medium.
• When ready to cook, brush the grill grate, place the ribs on the hot grate, bone side down, and grill until that side is sizzling and golden brown, about 35 minutes.
• Turn the ribs and grill meat side down until that side is sizzling and golden brown, about 25 minutes longer.
• When fully cooked, the ribs will be nicely browned and tender enough to pull apart with your fingers.
• The dripping fat may cause flare-ups; if this happens, move the ribs to another spot on the grate.
• Transfer the grilled ribs to a platter or cutting board.
• Generously brush or mop the ribs on both sides with the mop sauce.
• Thickly sprinkle the meat side with the remaining rub to form a crust.
• You can use all or the rub or just a part, depending on your fondness for spice.
• Mr. Raichlen likes a crust about 1/8 inch thick; serve the ribs as whole racks, cut the racks in pieces, or carve them into individual ribs and serve any remaining rub on the side.

MEMPHIS PORK RIBS (STEVEN RAICHLEN)

Steps:

• Set up your grill for indirect heating at 350 degrees F; place a drip pan in the middle of your coals.
• Remove the silver skin from the ribs with your hands.
• Combine all the rub ingredients and rub 2/3 of it on both sides of ribs.
• Place ribs on the grill and close the cover.
• Combine all the ingredients for the mopping sauce.
• After 30 minutes of cooking, mop the ribs with the sauce; repeat mopping every 20 minutes thereafter.
• Continue to cook the ribs until they are tender and the meat has shrunk a bit from the bones, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove ribs from the grill, once they are done, and place on a cutting board; mop ribs one last time and sprinkle with remaining dry rub.
• Cut into serving size pieces as desired.

MEMPHIS RUB BY STEVEN RAICHLEN

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together, using the cayenne pepper to your heat preference.
• Rub on a whole chicken for beer can chicken, or a rack of ribs.
• Makes about a half a cup of rub.

BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove and discard the fat just inside the body cavities of the chicken. Remove the package of giblets and set aside for another use. Rinse the chicken inside and out, under cold running water, then drain and blot dry inside and out, with paper towels. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the rub inside the body and neck cavities, then rub another 1 tablespoon all over the skin of the bird. If you wish, rub another 1/2 tablespoon of the mixture between the flesh and skin. Cover and refrigerate the chicken while you preheat the grill.
• Set up the grill for indirect grilling, placing a drip pan in the center. If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to medium. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat to high; then when smoke appears, lower the heat to medium.
• Pop the tab on the beer can. Using a 'church key'-style can opener, make 6 or 7 holes in the top of the can. Pour out the top inch of beer, then spoon the remaining dry rub through the holes into the beer. Holding the chicken upright, with the opening of the body cavity down, insert the beer can into the cavity.
• When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1/2 the wood chips on the coals. Oil the grill grate. Stand the chicken up in the center of the hot grate, over the drip pan. Spread out the legs to form a sort of tripod, to support the bird.
• Cover the grill and cook the chicken until fall-off-the-bone tender, 2 hours. If using charcoal, add 10 to 12 fresh coals per side and the remaining wood chips after 1 hour.
• Using tongs, lift the bird to a cutting board or platter, holding a large metal spatula underneath the beer can for support. (Have the board or platter right next to the bird to make the move shorter. Be careful not to spill hot beer on yourself.) Let stand for 5 minutes before carving meat off the upright carcass. (Toss the beer can out along with the carcass.)

ST. LOUIS RED (STEVEN RAICHLEN)

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan; gradually bring to a simmer over med-high heat, whisking to mix.
• Decrease heat to medium and let the sauce simmer to blend the flavors, 5 minutes.
• If not serving immediately, transfer to clean glass jars and refrigerate until serving; the sauce will keep for several months; bring to room temperature before using.