| Yesterday I made the perfect batch of barbecued | | | | loved ones. You will hear more "oohs" and "ahhs" |
| pork ribs. Accomplishing this was no less important | | | | than you do at the Fourth of July fireworks. If you |
| than the first time I watched Rebecca Demornay in | | | | are lucky more than one person will say, "If I eat |
| Risky Business, the first time I wrote a check to pay | | | | another bite I think I'm going to throw up." |
| a credit card payment, or suffering through my first | | | | I shall reveal the most crucial steps in the process. I |
| divorce. | | | | will not keep it a secret. Everyone shall know. |
| At some point on that day, yes I wrote it on my | | | | Keep in mind that this is my method for cooking |
| calendar, I crossed over the line that took me from | | | | country style pork ribs. Baby back ribs would require |
| just being the guy with a spatula to a certified grill | | | | a little tweaking concerning the preparation of the |
| master. | | | | meat. |
| I do consider myself a purist in that I choose to use | | | | Let us begin. You must use moistened hickory chips |
| charcoal instead of gas. This requires more skill and | | | | spread atop the charcoal. Duh. |
| attentiveness. A minute spent going inside after the | | | | You must boil the ribs for at least one hour before |
| sauce could mean out of control flames and the | | | | you even think about putting them on the grill. You |
| difference between charcoal and charbroiled | | | | can keep soaking the ribs in the water if you place |
| depending upon what you are preparing. | | | | them in the refrigerator. There are those who |
| Anyone can throw hamburgers or steaks on the grill. | | | | recommend this. I do not think this is necessary. |
| If you overcook them kind thoughtful family | | | | You must wrap the whole batch (not each individual |
| members are likely to respond with something like | | | | rib) of ribs loosely in aluminum foil. It is a good idea to |
| this "no really, we like our burgers a little crispy." If | | | | coat the aluminum foil with cooking spray. Yes they |
| you take a steak off too soon and it is red in the | | | | will stick to the aluminum foil if they are tender |
| middle instead of a little pink these same people could | | | | enough. |
| respond, "you know if you overcook a steak you | | | | Place the ribs on the grill for ten minutes wrapped like |
| take away some of the flavor." | | | | this to encourage the meat to cook through without |
| Ribs on the other hand require preparation. You have | | | | burning. |
| to know what you are doing before you actually do | | | | After ten minutes open the aluminum foil up and |
| it. Barbecuing ribs is a thinking man's sport, much akin | | | | poke holes in the bottom to allow the hickory smoke |
| to chess. | | | | to waft through the meat. |
| No one can say that I do not have a flair for the | | | | Slather the meat with your favorite sauce on all sides |
| melodramatic. | | | | and continue cooking until done. |
| Fail at your task and you do not need confirmation | | | | This should result in juicy, moist, fall-off-the-bone, |
| from your guests. You know it. You see the sadness | | | | mouth watering ribs that you can be proud of. |
| in their eyes. Shame and disappointment is what you | | | | I could reveal my sauce recipe but that would be |
| are seeing. | | | | expecting a little too much. I am generous, not crazy. |
| Succeed and you receive the admiration of your | | | | |