New Mexican Back Ribs Recipes

BRAISED COUNTRY-STYLE PORK RIBS WITH CHIPOTLE

Steps:

• Dry the ribs well, sprinkle all over with salt and allow to sit, refrigerated, for 1 to 2 1/2 hours.
• In a small bowl, combine cumin, coriander, chipotle pepper, black pepper, cayenne and cinnamon, and mix well. Dry the ribs well again and rub this mixture onto one side and the edges of the ribs, pressing to make sure it adheres. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot until shimmering. In 2 batches, place the ribs in the pot, with the spice-rubbed side up, and brown the opposite side well, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove to a platter as browned.
• Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they just start to brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute more.
• Move oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Return ribs to the pot and add the orange juice, lime juice and enough beer so that the liquid comes halfway up the sides of the ribs. Bring to a simmer, then cover, put in the oven, and cook until the ribs are very tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove the ribs from the pan, cover loosely with foil, and set aside. Continue to reduce the liquid if it is too thin, then adjust seasoning.
• Top each rib with a several tablespoons of sauce, sprinkle with cilantro and pomegranate seeds, if using, and serve.

NEW MEXICAN BACK RIBS

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix together all seasonigs.
• Rub seasoning on all surfaces of the ribs.
• Place ribs on a medium-hot grill over INDIRECT heat.
• Close grill hood and grill until ribs are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Add charcoal as needed.
• You want the grill temperature around 325-350 degrees.

TEQUILA BBQ SPARE RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Begin by trimming the ribs of any excess fat or sinew. Remove the thin membrane from the back side of the ribs and discard. Make the rub by combining the cumin, garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper and ancho chile powder together in a mixing bowl.
• Set a few large sheets of foil out (one set for each slab). Place 1 rack on each sheet and divide the dry rub between each slab. Rub the mixture into the ribs on both sides, and then fold the foil over to form a sealed pouch around each rack. At this stage make sure the racks are meat-side down. Place each pouch on a roasting tray and bake in the oven for 2 hours. After 2 hours, open up the foil and peel back so the ribs are exposed. Carefully turn the meat over so the meat side is on top, and then cook for 1 1/2 more hours with the open foil. When done, the ribs will be tender and the meat will have shrunk back from the bones. Finish under the broiler to add more color, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Serve the ribs with Tequila BBQ Sauce.
• Begin by placing the dried chile in a bowl with 1/4 cup hot water to rehydrate. In a medium saucepan, add the tomato paste, light brown sugar, tequila, lime juice, garlic and molasses. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Add in the chile and soaking water, season with salt and pepper and simmer until the flavors meld together, 2 to 3 minutes. Process with a blender until smooth and serve with the ribs as a dipping sauce.

MEXICAN-STYLE CHILLI RIBS

Steps:

• Mix the dry rub ingredients with ½ tsp flaky sea salt, then massage into the meat. Marinate for at least 1 hr, or ideally up to 1 day in the fridge.
• To make the sauce, heat the oil in a small saucepan and soften the garlic for 1 min. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, plus 2 tbsp water and simmer for a few secs until the sugar melts. Season with salt and set aside.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Put the ribs in a roasting tin in 1 fairly snug layer. Pour in 100ml hot water, cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 2 hrs until the meat pulls easily from the bones. Drain off any fat. The ribs can be cooled and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• For the final stage of cooking, get the barbecue ready and wait until the coals are glowing white and grey. Cook the ribs for 4-5 mins on each side until dark golden and hot through - use tongs to turn them carefully. Brush with some of the chipotle sauce and give the ribs 1 min more to char here and there. Serve on a platter with the rest of the sauce for spooning, lime wedges, plus a big bowl of Smoky corn & avocado salsa (see related recipes, right).