Oven Baked BBQ Ribs

There are many different techniques used to make BBQ ribs. Some cooks passionately favor the long low slow bake, and consider the pre-boil method to be inferior. That's okay. This recipe details the pre-boil technique. I use this technique for both beef and pork ribs.

Pre-boiling ribs makes the meat tender and succulent. In addition, pre-boiling the ribs prevents distasteful excessive scorching in cooking. Other variations in BBQ preparation include whether or not to marinate, and whether or not to use a wet sauce or a dry spice rub.

When I don't use the pre-boil, say for boneless cuts, then I bake long and slow at 350.

• ribs

• BBQ sauce

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Rinse the ribs and if desired chop them apart.

4. Place the ribs into a large pot. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. How long to boil the ribs depends on how large the ribs are, and the desired level of doneness. Typically, the ribs can be boiled until they are rare, or still pink next to the bone. The level of doneness can be determined by pulling a rib from the water and cutting the meat to the bone. Boiling ribs before baking means that scorching of the exterior before the meat next to the bone is cooked is prevented. Visually, when the ribs are done enough the meat will begin to pull away from the bone.

5. Transfer the ribs to a baking dish. They produce their own grease, so the pan does not need to be greased. Lining the pan with foil makes clean up easier. Pour a generous quantity of BBQ sauce over the ribs.

6. Place the ribs in the preheated oven. If an electric oven is being used, put them on the bottom rack, and put a tray on the top rack to prevent scorching. Bake the ribs for approximately 30 minutes. The cook time depends on the size of the ribs, the idiosyncrasy of the oven being used, and the level of desired doneness, so check doneness by slicing the meat open next to the bone rather than relying exclusively on the 30 minute cook time. When the meat next to the bone is grey and juices run clear, the ribs are done. Some people prefer their ribs rare with some pink remaining.

* If you are unsure of side dishes, ribs always go well with mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and so on. Here's a KFC coleslaw imitation recipe.

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