Smoky Sweet Baby Back Chili Food

SMOKED BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Prepare the ribs (see below). Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin, mustard powder and 2 tablespoons salt in a small bowl. Rub the ribs all over with the cut sides of the lemon and then the spice mixture and place in a large roasting pan or resealable plastic bag. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Meanwhile, soak the wood chips in water 1 hour, then prepare your grill for smoking, filling the smoker box with one-quarter each of the wood chips and apple.
• About 30 minutes before smoking, remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature. Meanwhile, combine the apple juice, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar in a small spray bottle. Shake to mix.
• Once the grill reaches 250 degrees F, lightly brush the grates with vegetable oil and place the ribs on the cooler side of the grill, meat-side up. Spray with the apple juice mixture. Close the grill and let smoke 1 hour.
• Replenish the smoker box with another one-quarter each of the wood chips and apple. Flip the ribs so they're meat-side down with the opposite edge of the racks closer to the smoker box. Spray with the apple juice mixture; close the grill and let smoke 1 more hour. Repeat this process every hour until the ribs are dark brown and tender and the meat starts to shrink away from the bones, about 2 more hours. Remove the ribs from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• How to prep your ribs:
• Position the ribs meat-side down. Insert a paring knife under the membrane that covers the back of the rack. Loosen the membrane with the knife. Grab the membrane with your fingers and peel off completely.

SMOKY SWEET BABY BACK CHILI

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot, put heat to medium-low or in a Crock Pot on medium.
• 2. Pull a part off the bone into small to medium sized shreds and chunks of the baby back ribs. Place in the pot.
• 3. Add all of the diced veggies and the can of tomato paste. Then stir it together.
• 4. Add the can of diced tomatoes with all of the juices into the pot. Stir.
• 5. Add the cans of bean blend (juices included). Then add the water and barbecue sauce. Stir.
• 6. Bring to a low boil then lower back down to medium-low. Add the liquid smoke and stir. After 10 minutes cover, and then simmer for approximately 30 minutes so all the flavors can marry. Serve with cornbread, garlic sticks, or Parmesan breadsticks.

SMOKY BLACK BEAN CHILLI

Steps:

• Heat half of the oil in a pan, add the onion and fry until it starts to soften, then add the garlic, celery and carrot and cook until soft. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a separate frying pan and fry the mince in batches, scooping each batch out with a slotted spoon and leave any excess oil behind.
• Add the mince to the veg, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 min. Stir in the passata and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over a very low heat for 1½-2 hrs, then add the milk and cook for 30 mins. If you're making the base ahead of time, you can leave it to cool at this stage then freeze for up to a month. (Defrost fully before using in the next step.)
• Put the mince base in a pan and add 1 tsp chipotle paste, bring to a simmer and taste it - add the other tsp if you need to. Stir in the black beans and cook for 5 mins, then stir in the coriander.
• Warm the tortilla bowls in a low oven. Serve the bowls filled with chilli and add the avocado, a squeeze of lime, soured cream and cheese.