Ingredients

  • 2 racks baby back pork ribs, about 4 pounds, each cut in half
  • 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows or favorite rib rub
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle dark brown ale (recommended: Abita Turbo Dog)
  • 4 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup finely chopped yellow onions
  • 1/2 cup pure cane syrup (recommended: Steen's 100 percent) or molasses
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons Creole or other spicy whole-grain mustard
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno peppers
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon or other hot pepper sauce (recommended: Emeril's Red Pepper Sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • Smashed Potato Salad, recipe follows
  • Sliced fresh tomatoes, accompaniment
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 2 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup minced yellow onions
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise or store bought mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (recommended: Emeril's Red Pepper Sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

  • Rub the ribs on both sides with Essence or rib rub.
  • Place in a large sealable bag or on a large sheet of aluminum foil placed in a large roasting pan.
  • Cover with the beer and seal.
  • Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight.
  • Remove the ribs from the bag and bring to room temperature.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Line a large baking sheet with heavy aluminum foil, lay the ribs on top, and tightly cover with foil.
  • Roast for 2 hours.
  • Preheat the grill.
  • Meanwhile, to make the sauce, combine the ketchup, onions, cane syrup, red wine, lemon juice, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, jalapenos, Worcestershire, hot pepper sauce, salt, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl.
  • Stir to mix well.
  • Use immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Remove the ribs from the oven and uncover.
  • Transfer to the hot grill, cover, and cook over indirect heat for 30 minutes.
  • Brush the ribs with the sauce, and baste and turn every 10 minutes, for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Remove ribs from the grill.
  • Serve with the potato salad and sliced tomatoes, and pass additional sauce on the side.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
  • Yield: about 2/3 cup
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch.
  • Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
  • In a large saucepan, place the potatoes with enough cold water to cover and 1 teaspoon of the salt.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until fork-tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mash the potatoes with a hand-held masher or a heavy fork.
  • (They should still be very lumpy.)
  • Mix in the onions, eggs, and garlic.
  • In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the mayonnaise, the mustard, lemon juice, and brown sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  • Season with the pepper sauce, Worcestershire, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper.
  • Serve warm or chilled.
  • Yield: 4 servings