Rib Ring

See the video here!

Here's a fun little idea I came up with to put a different spin on finger food for game days or parties.  Simply set out with a small knife to cut the last inch and pile your favorite finger food in the center.  Here's what you'll need.  You can always substitute your own rub and sauce.

1 rack Baby Back Ribs

Rib Rub

1 cup Brown Sugar

½ cup Tomato Powder

½ cup Smoked Paprika

¼ cup Kosher Salt

¼ cup Coarse Ground Black Pepper

¼ cup Butter Powder

¼ cup Molasses Powder

¼ cup Garlic Powder

¼ cup Onion Powder

¼ cup Chili Powder

¼ cup Old Bay Seasoning

1 tblspn Dry Mustard

½ tblspn Cayenne Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and run on high for 3-5 minutes until very well blended.

To make barbecue sauce/glaze mix

1 ½ cups of rub with:

1 can of Coca-Cola

1 cup molasses

½ cup Agave Nectar

½ cup Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, or a good bourbon whiskey

½ cup Apple Cider Vinegar

¼ cup honey

1 tblspn cayenne

Mix well in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer to reduce to the thickness desired.

For glaze add equal amounts of sauce and Coca-Cola and stir well.

Start by rinsing off your baby back ribs and removing the membrane on the back of the ribs.  You will find that this will pull off easily if you grab it with a paper towel.

Now, with the thick side of the ribs facing you, cut between each rib, all the way through, leaving the top inch in tact.

Now grab the two ends and pull them around until the outside ribs are touching.  Then wrap some butchers twine around those two ribs tying them together.

Coat both sides of the ring with rub and allow to sit for 1 hour.

I used a pellet grill for these but you could use any grill or oven however, be sure to place a shallow pan of apple juice under the ribs.  This will partially steam them and keep them moist. Pre-heat your grill/smoker/oven to 300° F and cook for two and one half hours.

Mop the top of the ribs with the mop sauce after the first, and second, hour.

After two and one half hours remove the ribs, and butchers twine, and serve.