Mexican Ribs Al Fresco Food

GUAJILLO-BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIB TACO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Working in two batches if necessary to avoid crowding, lightly toast all of the chiles in a dry, heavy skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds on each side, until fragrant but not blackened. Set them aside on a plate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy pot with a lid over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, working in batches to avoid crowding, add the meat and sear for about 3 minutes on each side, until the pieces have formed a uniformly browned crust. Add more oil to the pot as needed to prevent scorching. As the pieces are ready, set them aside on a plate.
• Add the onion to the same same pot over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until it starts to brown. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Pour in the beer, add the toasted chiles, and turn down the heat to low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until the chiles have softened and are pliable. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Transfer the contents of the pot to a blender and reserve the pot. Add the cumin, pepper, oregano, salt, and water to the blender and blend the mixture on high speed until smooth and the consistency of cream, adding more water if needed to thin the mixture a bit.
• Return the seared meat to the pot and pour in the chile mixture. Cover, transfer to the oven, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
• Remove from the oven and, using tongs or a couple of forks, shred the meat in the pot. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. Serve with the tortillas, onion, cilantro, salsa, and lime.

MEXICAN RIBS AL FRESCO

Steps:

• Combine the hot sauce, chili powder and wine.
• Marinate the ribs in this overnight in the refrigerator.
• Remove the ribs and reserve the marinade.
• Fire up the grill!
• In a blender or food processor, purée the rest of the ingredients with the marinade to make a basting sauce.
• Grill the ribs, basting frequently with the sauce.

NEW MEXICAN BACK RIBS

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix together all seasonigs.
• Rub seasoning on all surfaces of the ribs.
• Place ribs on a medium-hot grill over INDIRECT heat.
• Close grill hood and grill until ribs are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Add charcoal as needed.
• You want the grill temperature around 325-350 degrees.

MEXICAN-STYLE CHILLI RIBS

Steps:

• Mix the dry rub ingredients with ½ tsp flaky sea salt, then massage into the meat. Marinate for at least 1 hr, or ideally up to 1 day in the fridge.
• To make the sauce, heat the oil in a small saucepan and soften the garlic for 1 min. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, plus 2 tbsp water and simmer for a few secs until the sugar melts. Season with salt and set aside.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Put the ribs in a roasting tin in 1 fairly snug layer. Pour in 100ml hot water, cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 2 hrs until the meat pulls easily from the bones. Drain off any fat. The ribs can be cooled and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• For the final stage of cooking, get the barbecue ready and wait until the coals are glowing white and grey. Cook the ribs for 4-5 mins on each side until dark golden and hot through - use tongs to turn them carefully. Brush with some of the chipotle sauce and give the ribs 1 min more to char here and there. Serve on a platter with the rest of the sauce for spooning, lime wedges, plus a big bowl of Smoky corn & avocado salsa (see related recipes, right).