Sweet Bourbon Baby Backs Food

SWEET AND SMOKY BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Remove the thin papery skin on the back of each rack of the ribs or ask your butcher to do it. (Pull it off in a sheet with your fingers, using a corner of a dish towel to gain a secure grip.) Place the ribs in a roasting pan and pour the bourbon over them. Let marinate in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour, turning the ribs several times.
• Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the rub in a bowl and stir to mix. Pour off and discard the bourbon. Sprinkle the ribs on both sides with 2/3 of the rub, patting it in with your fingers. Let the ribs marinate for 30 minutes, while you light your grill.
• Set up your grill for indirect grilling and smoking, using wood chips and adjust the heat to 350 degrees. Arrange the ribs on a rack in the center of the grill away from the heat and cook until very tender and the meat has pulled away from the ends of the bones, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. The last 15 minutes, brush the ribs with 1/3 cup sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining rub. Serve the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.

BOURBON PEACH-GLAZED BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Combine the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, chili powder and brown sugar in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
• Place each rack of ribs on a large piece of aluminum foil (it will eventually need to completely seal the rack) and place on a baking sheet. Generously sprinkle the dry rub on both sides of the ribs. Leave uncovered and place in the refrigerator, meat-side up, for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In another small bowl, stir the vinegar, bourbon, preserves, 2 tablespoons water and a large pinch of salt and pepper together to combine. Pour half of the mixture over each rack and tightly seal each in the foil, crimping the edges to make a packet.
• Transfer the foil packets on the baking sheet to the oven and bake until the meat is tender and starts to pull away from the bones, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully open the foil packets and pour off the liquid into a small saucepan. Bring to a strong simmer over medium-high heat and cook until it is reduced by about half and becomes a thin but syrupy glaze, stirring frequently, 6 to 8 minutes. It will thicken further as it cools.
• Line another baking sheet with foil and gently transfer the ribs to it. Position a rack on the top level of the oven and preheat the broiler.
• Using a pastry brush, generously coat the ribs with about half of the glaze. Broil until browned and charred in spots, 2 to 4 minutes. Brush generously with some of the remaining glaze and return to the broiler until deeply browned and charred in additional spots, 2 to 4 minutes more. Brush the finished ribs with any remaining glaze. Slice each rack between the bones and serve.

BOURBON BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Sprinkle ribs with salt, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Place ribs, meaty side up, on grill. Cover and grill 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix barbecue sauce, cilantro, onion, bourbon, chili powder and remaining 3/4 teaspoon cumin in heavy small saucepan; bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Place saucepan at edge of grill to keep sauce warm.
• Turn ribs meaty side down. Cover and grill until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Turn ribs over again; brush meaty side generously with sauce. Cover and grill ribs until sauce sets thickly, about 3 minutes longer.
• Divide ribs between plates. Serve with remaining sauce.

SWEET TEA BABY BACK RIBS

Steps:

• Heat tea in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add sugar and remaining brine ingredients. Heat through, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves in tea. Pour brine into large bowl. Cool and refrigerate for 4 hours.
• Cut each rib in half and add to brine. Place in the fridge for 18 to 24 hours. Remove ribs from brine and pat dry. Place bone side on a cutting board and rub with rib spice. Turn rib over and rub other side with rib spice.
• Prep your grill for indirect grilling by placing coals on only one side of the grill. Cook over indirect heat (250 to 300 degrees temperature) for about 2 hours, turning often and checking flame for any small flare ups.
• Feel free to lightly brush ribs with your favorite sauce about 15 minutes prior to removing them from grill.