Thursday, May 31, 2012

Baked Baby Back Ribs + Sweet Potato Skewers

Glad you swung in to check out the third new recipe I am testing this week! Today I am trying my hand at baked baby back ribs! I am also preparing a side of grilled sweet potato skewers!! Following is the recipe, along with a few snap shots of the "process" I should call it, of making great ribs!!


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Kim’s Oven-Baked Ribs


*Note: when working with baby back ribs, the silver skin will need to be removed. Here is a great visual tutorial to help simplify the process (it’s not hard, I promise!). Also, take note that the ribs need to be refrigerated with the rub prior to cooking for 8 to 48 hours so plan ahead!
*Makes 2 slabs ribs

INGREDIENTS:
2 whole slabs pork baby back ribs, silver skin removed
The Dry Rub
1-2 cups of BBQ sauce

Dry Rub: Prepared Tuesday evening & placed in tupperware bowl until Wednesday afternoon. 
8 tablespoons light brown sugar, tightly packed
2 tablespoons kosher salt (Morton’s brand – other brands may vary in strength)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (left out, did not have on hand)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika (regular)
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon onion powder (left out, did not have on hand)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

My Rub!


DIRECTIONS:
In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Place each slab of baby back ribs on a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil or a double layer of regular tin foil, shiny side down. Sprinkle each side of the ribs generously with the dry rub. Pat the dry rub into the meat. Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil and refrigerate the ribs for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight and up to 48 hours.

Sorry for the blurriness; action shots never turn out like you want!



Ribs refrigerated with rub on from Wednesday afternoon (3:30ish) until Thursday afternoon @ 3:00pm, when I then placed them in the oven! 

When ready to bake the ribs, preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

Place the ribs (still in the foil packets) on a foil lined baking sheet and bake the ribs in the oven for 2 1/2 hours-3 hours or until tender when picked up with tongs. The meat will come easily off of the bone!


Remove ribs from foil and place on another foil lined baking sheet. Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and broil until charred and bubbly.



I used one whole bottle of BBQ sauce, but how much you use if optional!

 Alternately, you can grill the ribs at this point, if you like, but sometimes they are falling off the bone and are so tender that it is a little difficult. Cut the ribs into individual portions (2-3 ribs per person). Serve with additional BBQ sauce.








Grilled Sweet Potato Skewers

INGREDIENTS:
4(3) medium sweet potatoes/yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Bamboo skewers

DIRECTIONS:
Place all of the sweet potato chunks in a large microwaveable bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for three minutes. Remove from the microwave, stir, recover with plastic wrap and microwave 2-3 minutes more, until the sweet potatoes are just tender enough to thread on skewers (but not overly soft – they will cook through on the grill).

Thread 5-6 pieces of sweet potato on each skewer. Place all the skewers on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, rolling the skewers back and forth to evenly distribute the oil. Sprinkle the skewers with salt and pepper.

Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium or medium-high heat. Grill the sweet potato skewers, flipping every 5-6 minutes, for a total of about 20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender. If desired, finish the hot sweet potatoes off with a quick brush of olive oil mixed with a little salt.


Serve immediately.


Recipe from Mel @ Mel's Kitchen Cafe


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How bout them ribs? Are ya jealous?!? :) Happy eating!♥


Well this meal wraps up my three days of 100% new entrees! I have to say I was beyond pleased with all of them! I have to give a big thanks to Mel @ Mel's Kitchen Cafe for her amazing recipes. If you've never been to her recipe, you must go check it out, you won't be disappointed! 






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