Cooking ribs is something that usually requires a lot of patience. Luckily, there are many proven ways to cook ribs. Ribs can be smoked, cooked on the grill, baked in the oven, or even cooked in a crockpot.
Different pork rib cuts are available and come from different sections of the rib cage. Each cut has its own set of unique characteristics. Spare ribs are the most inexpensive cut and contain less meat and more fat than other cuts, but fat can make spare ribs more tender than other cuts. Baby back ribs are meatier, but may not be as tender as spare ribs.
Prior to cooking ribs, a good tip is to cut away the membrane from their underside and apply a rub to maximize tenderness and flavor. The meat should be marinated and dressed with trimmings the night before for best results. Some rib chefs suggest a longer marinating period.
Smoking ribs requires advanced preparation and some specialized equipment. A smoker, a device that connects to a grilling surface and funnels smoke into it, is required for smoking ribs. The smoke heats and cooks the meat over a long period of time, leaving it infused with a potent smoky flavor. Cooking ribs with a smoker takes about five hours, but many people lower the cooking temperature and cook them longer to enhance the smoky flavor.
An easy method for cooking ribs is to bake them in an oven. Because of the concave shape, potatoes, onions, or other vegetables can be placed below the rib meat while it is baking. The baking ribs and their secreting juices will give the vegetables a tender texture and complimentary flavor. When baking, it is especially important to loosely wrap the ribs and vegetables in aluminum foil to hold moisture.
Cooking ribs in a crockpot can be an easy way to enjoy the taste of ribs. If less greasy ribs are desirable, they can be broiled for about 15 minutes to remove excess grease before slicing them. They should then be slathered with sauce and seasoning and cooked in a crockpot on low for six to eight hours.
It is important to remember that cooking ribs is an undertaking. The number of rib cooking competitions that take place annually are an indication of the depth and complexity of the art of rib making. Rib competitions, grill-outs, and the restaurants and barbecues of competitors are all excellent places to watch and learn about the rib preparation and cooking process. It may also be possible to pick up tips on secret ingredients and techniques from the chefs themselves.
