Baby Back Ribs

This was my first attempt at ribs and all I can say is "Oh My!"  They were absolutely delicious, fall off the bone, juicy, tender, YUMMY!

Enjoy!
Kirsten

BABY BACK RIBS

2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds baby back ribs
1 cup chicken broth or water
2 cups BBQ sauce

1)  Make a rub by mixing all of the spices in a small bowl.  Set the ribs flesh-side up on a large piece of foil and coat evenly with the rub.  Marinate in the refrigerator for 3 to 24 hours (the longer the better).

2)  Preheat the oven to 300F.

3)  Place the ribs in a casserole or glass baking dish.  Pour the chicken broth or water into the dish and cover with foil.  Bake for 1 hour, or until the meat pulls back from the rib bones.

4)  Preheat a grill to medium heat (350F).  Place the ribs directly over the heat and grill until nicely charred, 6 to 8 minutes on each side.  If you don't have a grill, increase the oven temp to 475F and cook the ribs for 10 minutes on each side.

5)  Remove the ribs from the grill or oven and immediately baste generously with the BBQ sauce.  Serve with the remaining sauce.

NOTES:

~Use your favorite BBQ sauce!  My favorite is from Trader Joe's and it has no MSG or other ingredients that I cannot pronounce!

~While you should cook ribs to 180 to 190F, a meat thermometer is not much help here.  It is very hard to get an accurate reading because the bones get in the way of measuring the temperature.  A few ways to test whether your ribs are done:  Pick up the slab with a pair of tongs and bounce them slightly.  If they are ready, the slab will bow and be close to breaking.  You can also poke a toothpick into the meat between the bones.  When it slides in with little or no resistance (like with baked goods) your ribs are ready.