I made some darn good ribs last week and it couldn't have been easier. Well, I'm sure it could have been...but that would just mean opening a package of ribs and tossing it on the grill or into the oven. This is better than that and still really simple to boot! I served it up with a sides of homemade corn bread, garlic roasted asparagus and a salad topped with mandarin slices and warm savoury, sweet and spicy candied walnuts. Like, like, like! I didn't really use a recipe, but this is what basically happened...
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Get your favourite BBQ rib rub recipe. If you don't have one, Goggle.com is your best friend.
- Buy a slab of ribs! We got ours from Walmart for $9. Inexpensive is fab.
- Lay out a giant piece of foil, big enough so that you can wrap your ribs in it tightly. I used two pieces, folded together to make one big piece. Place slab of ribs on foil.
- Sprinkle your yummy seasoning mix all over your ribs and pat it in good. Your hands will look disgusting and your manicure will look even worse. Ignore this until you're done with the rub. Wash your grimy hands well.
- In a bowl, combine about 2 teaspoons of liquid smoke (usually found with the barbecue sauce and spices) with about 1/3 cup of water.
- Begin the rib wrapping process. We are trying to form a rib burrito with foil. Leave one end open, to pour in the smoke/water mixture. Don't be like me and spill half of it on the table.
- Seal tight. We don't want to let any of the steam or liquid out!
- Shove it in the oven and leave it there for about an hour and a half. Leave it in for 2 hours if you have the time..it really doesn't matter, as long as they're cooked. If you sealed the foil well, they won't dry out.
- Take this time to prep your vegetables, I just tossed my asparagus in olive oil, salt, pepper and smashed cloves of garlic. During the last 20 minutes or so, I cranked the oven to 400 degrees F and roasted them on the bottom rack, turning once.
- Get your salad ready, if you're making one. I made candied walnuts (you can do pecans etc) by tossing a cup or so in a lightly whisked egg white, added in cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg, salt, pepper and a good spoonful of brown sugar. Stir to coat and put that in the oven, on a lightly greased pan along with your ribs and asparagus until golden.
- Take the veg and nuts out after about 20 minutes, or earlier depending on your oven. Remove the ribs and carefully open the foil. Pour off the liquid and brush on your favourite BBQ sauce.
- Turn the dial to BROIL and put your oven rack on the highest level allowed. Broil each side of the rib for a couple of minutes. I like mine slightly charred. Done.
Corn bread recipe from allrecipes.com. 1,500 reviews, 4.5 stars. The reviews don't lie- it was delicious.
