Easy Baby Back Ribs - ThinnerTimes

janine · 02-06-2008, 08:09 PM

Easy Baby Back Ribs

Baby back rib, sugar free.

INGREDIENTS:
Baby Back Ribs - however many racks you want! (I've used pork or beef)
(if bones are too big for crockpot ask the meat dept to cut
them down the middle)
Salt and spices (see below) (I use cajun spice)
Diet/cafeen free coke
Sugar-free BBQ sauce (see below) (I use Stubbs)

PREPARATION:
There are usually two phases to making baby back ribs- the first is a long slow braise
(cooking in a little liquid) to dissolve all the connective tissue in the ribs
(smoking accomplishes the same thing, I think).

1) Sprinkle the ribs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder.
Or, if you have a special rub you like that doesn't have sugar,
by all means use that. (The cajun spice)
Pat the spices inand put ribs in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
2) Wrap the ribs loosely in heavy-duty foil, but seal the sides.
(If you are using the slow cooker/crock pot, skip this step.)
Pour half a can of diet cola into the packet (or crock pot).
(If you don't like any sweetness in your ribs, or if you just prefer
not to use soda, white wine works well, or even white wine with a few drops of sweetener.)
Seal the top of the ribs.

3) Put the ribs in a covered grill with low heat (either charcoal or gas),
or on a baking sheet in the oven. Cooking times:
I find that 2 and 1/2 hours at about 250 F. works best,
but if you don't have that much time, 1 and 1/2 hours at 350 F. also works.
In the crockpot, cook for 8 hours or so on low.
Every 45-60 minutes, add liquid if necessary
(it probably won't be, but the amount of juice in the ribs does vary),
and turn the ribs over.

4) Open the foil, and brush the ribs with sugar-free BBQ sauce.
Grill on medium to medium-high heat for 10 minutes on each side.
Serve with sauce to dunk ribs in.

I skip the step to put it in the refrig. for 2 hours and just rub them and put them in the crockpot with the diet/cafeen free coke. after it cooks for 8 hours I drain the liquid pour the sauce on them and put them in the fridge for the next day. When I'm ready to finish them I put them on the grill for about 5 min. each side. Yummmy. Everyone loves them and I can eat them too! super tender too.