St. Louis Style Pork Ribs

My first attempt at spare ribs couldn't have been easier. I made let the ribs sit overnight with the rub.  This recipe can be cooked on the grill or in the oven.  I cooked these in the oven for 3 hours. They were easy and very flavorful. 

This is a "Down Home with the Neely's" recipe.  If you haven't seen them on the Food Network then you are missing out.  I made several of their recipes and the continually come out great.

Ingredients

2 slabs pork spare ribs, 3 pounds each

Kansas City Barbeque Sauce, recipe follows

Dry Rub:

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup dry mustard

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon salt

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Remove the thin white membrane off of the bone-side of the ribs. Mix together the brown sugar, dry mustard, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Massage the rub into the ribs and let sit for 1 hour or up to overnight.

If cooking on the grill, place the ribs meat-side down next to medium-hot coals that are about 225 degrees F. The indirect heat will cook them slower, making them tender. Allow to cook for 1 hour. Turn ribs every half hour and baste with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce. Cook until the ribs are tender, about 3 to 4 hours.

If cooking indoors, place in a roasting pan with a rack. Slather the ribs with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce and tent a piece of aluminum foil over them. In a preheated 350 degrees F. oven, place the ribs, basting with the sauce every 30 minutes and removing the foil for the last 30 minutes and cooking until fork tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Kansas City Barbeque Sauce:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 (about 2/3 cup)small onion, finely diced

3 cups water

1 cup (2 (6-ounce) cans) tomato paste

1/2 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a small sauce pot on medium-high heat, heat the oil and add the onion, cooking until translucent.

Add the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add to sauce pan and let simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Use to baste the pork spare ribs.

Yield: 3 cups