First-Timer's Baby Back Ribs

DrGaellon's Note:

From Stephen Raichlen's "Primal Grill" on PBS. Spotlights all three of the major rib techniques: a dry rub, a mop sauce, and a barbecue sauce. Raichlen guarantees good results, even for the most inexperienced griller. Goes really well with Raichlen's Lemon Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce at http://primalgrill.org/htdocs/ribs.html.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 (2 -2 ½ lb) baby back rib racks
• ½ cup barbecue sauce

Rub

• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon celery seed , crushed in a mortar and pestle

Mop Sauce

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup apple cider
• 3 tablespoons Bourbon or 3 tablespoons apple cider
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions:

1. If your butcher hasn't done it, pull the membrane off the bone side of the rack. Use a sharp knife to lift the membrane, then grab hold with a paper towel and pull it off.
2. Combine rub ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Apply rub heavily to both sides of ribs. Refrigerate 2-4 hours. Meanwhile, soak hardwood chips (hickory or apple) in cold water.
3. Prepare a charcoal grill with an indirect grill setup - put hot coals on outside of grill, leaving a cool center zone, with a drip pan in the center. Place ribs in a rib rack, and stand the rack over the drip pan. Place a handful of hardwood chips on each pile of coals. Position the lid with the vent holes centered over the meat.
4. For the mop sauce, melt the butter in a nonreactive saucepan. Add the cider, bourbon (or additional apple cider) and soy sauce. Keep warm until ready to use.
5. Once the ribs have been cooking about 45 minutes, use a barbecue mop to baste the racks. Baste every 15-20 minutes for an additional 45-60 minutes. When done, the meat will have shrunken away, exposing the ends of the bones by about 1/4".
6. Transfer the meat from the rack to lay directly over the coals. Brush with barbecue sauce and cook an additional 1-3 minutes, until the sauce browns and bubbles.
7. Transfer meat to a cutting board or platter. Rest 10 minutes, then cut racks in half, or into individual ribs. Serve with additional barbecue sauce on the side.