Barbecue St. Louis Pork Ribs
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 slabs St. Louis style ribs, 2 to 3 pounds each
- 4 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1/3 cup spicy brown mustard
- Special equipment: Smoker and 4 ounces hickory or oak wood chunks or chips
- Set a smoker to 225 degrees F.
- Combine the paprika, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg and cayenne in a spice grinder.
- Process until a fine powder is formed, approximately 30 seconds.
- Pat the ribs dry and turn bone-side up.
- Trim excess fat and, if one end of the ribs is especially narrow, trim meat and bone to ensure even cooking.
- Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs by inserting a rounded utensil, an upside-down spoon works well, between the membrane and the meat at one end of the slab.
- Carefully work the spoon under the membrane to loosen but not tear.
- Once enough has been loosened, use a paper towel to hold onto the membrane as you slowly pull it down the slab to remove.
- Sprinkle the ribs on both sides with the salt and brush both sides with the mustard.
- Sprinkle two-thirds of the spice mixture on the meat side of the ribs and the remaining third on the bone side.
- Once the smoker has reached 225 degrees F, add the wood chips or chunks and the ribs to the smoker.
- Smoke for 4 to 5 hours then test for doneness.
- There are four criteria that should be met in order for ribs to be done.
- First, the internal temperature of the meat should be 185 to 190 degrees F. Second, pick up each slab from the center with tongs and it should droop into a u-shape and crack slightly.
- Third, while holding with the tongs, and bouncing gently, the surface of the ribs should crack slightly.
- Lastly, the meat should pull easily off the bone but not fall off.
- If ribs pass all tests, remove them from the smoker and wrap in heavy-duty foil and rest for 15 minutes.
- If not, continue smoking for 45 minutes to 1 hour and test again until done.
paprika, whole black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, garlic, onion powder, freshly grated nutmeg, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, brown mustard, hickory
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/barbecue-st-louis-pork-ribs-recipe2.html (may not work)