To make smoked ribs really tasty, you need to choose and prepare the product correctly. You should buy options with a small amount of fat on the bone. Meat should not be enough for cooking in a smokehouse. The ribs must be fresh in order for the dishes with them to be really tasty.
No less important is the preparation stage, which must be carried out in accordance with all the rules. You will need a sharp knife, which should cut through the cartilage along the entire length. The brisket must be separated (if any) to get an even strip of ribs. The excess part can be used, for example, for soup.
By the way, if there is not enough space in the smokehouse, then the dish can be twisted into a tube and tied with a thread. Then the product will take up less space, and it will be easier to cook.
It is worth noting that the meat is softer if it is cooked before the subsequent heat treatment. You can add spices if you like for a richer taste. It is important to note that pork should not be placed directly from the stove into a smoking container. It is necessary to let it cool and brew for at least a few hours, and preferably a day or more. Then she will delight with her taste and become one of her favorite delicacies.
Pickle for ribs with garlic and vodka
One of the simplest and yet successful pickles is prepared as follows. You need to take 1 liter of water, 3 bay leaves, black pepper and garlic to taste, 50 ml of vodka, a tablespoon of sugar, 120 grams of salt. All ingredients (except vodka) must be mixed and boiled, removing foam as it forms. After boiling, turn off and leave to cool.
The meat must be poured with a cold solution so that it is completely covered with it. It does not need to be boiled, just leave it in the mixture. The indicated amount of ingredients is calculated for 2 kg of ribs. The container itself must be left in a cold place for 3 days. Then dry and rub with seasonings mixed with vodka. Further, the recipe requires that the product be wrapped in cling film and sent to the refrigerator for a day. Now the pork will be ready for hot smoking. The calorie content of such a product is 277 kcal per 100 g.
Marinade with tomato paste and honey
To cook ribs that are unusual in taste in a smokehouse, you will first need to make a good marinade. There is an interesting recipe that is suitable for this dish. How long will it take to marinate? Preferably about a day, but less is possible.
Smoked ribs in tomato marinade
Ingredients:
- beer - liter;
- garlic - 1 head;
- vegetable oil - 80 ml;
- onions - 3-4 pieces;
- honey - 2 tbsp. spoons;
- balsamic vinegar - 4-5 tbsp. spoons;
- tomato paste - 150 g;
- spices, salt and pepper to taste.
You need to mix all the ingredients in 250 ml of water. Add the ribs to the resulting mass and leave in a dark place for 12-24 hours. During this time, they will have time to soak well, and it will be possible to start smoking them. The dish will turn out really tasty, as the recipe is non-standard. Smoked pork ribs are perfect with various pickles, baked or boiled potatoes, as well as fresh vegetables.
Preparing boiled ribs
Some people prefer boiled-smoked ribs, and you can understand them. Such a product is especially tender and juicy. It is easy to prepare. You will need to boil the ribs in plain water along with malic acid, sugar, salt, garlic and bay leaf. You can add spices to taste. You need to cook from 30 minutes to an hour.
It is important to place the pork together with the solution in the refrigerator after cooling. Stay there for about 2-3 days. After that, you can dry it and place it in a smokehouse.
It is worth noting that boiled-smoked ribs have almost the same calorie content as regular ones.
The process of smoking ribs in a smokehouse
When the ribs are already marinated, you can start smoking them. A good taste of the dish will turn out if the process is followed completely. First you need to prepare a smokehouse. By the way, you can make it yourself from improvised materials. To do this, you need to take a metal unpainted pan or bucket, you definitely need a lid. Grids should be placed inside this container, on which later the product should be laid out. You need to put a homemade smokehouse on bricks. Make a fire under it and make sure that it does not go out and does not flare up too much. The smokehouse itself should contain sawdust from fruit trees.
After finishing the preparation, you need to put the ribs on the grates. Cook them for about 3 hours over medium heat. Approximately every 15-30 minutes you need to release smoke from under the lid so that the dish does not have a bitter taste.
When the pork is cooked, it must be cooled and cut. After that, you can serve it as an appetizer or main course.
I would also like to note that the absence of an outdoor smokehouse is not a reason to refuse to cook this dish. There is a recipe for an apartment, which is no worse. You can make both boiled-smoked pork and regular. To do this, you need a smokehouse with a water seal. This container will need to be put on the stove, lay out the wood chips and light the burner. Then it remains only to lay the ribs on the grill and wait until they are ready. How long will it take? Approximately 2-3 hours. It is important not to overdo them.
Smoked ribs at home
What dishes can be cooked with ribs?
Smoked ribs are an independent dish, but this does not mean at all that they cannot be used as an ingredient. There are recipes in which you can add this smoked meat. For example, various soups. Among them are pea, potato, with celery and sour cream, borscht, hodgepodge.
Soup with smoked ribs
There are not only first courses, but also second ones. For example: stew with potatoes; vegetable pot with carrots, cabbage, mushrooms and beans; stewed cabbage. You can even cook Hungarian salad. It has the same composition as Olivier, but instead of sausage they put ribs.
Dishes with boiled-smoked pork will decorate any table, so making them will be the right decision. Of course, ribs cooked in your own smokehouse are best, as you can be sure of their quality. Although the calorie content of this dish is quite high, but at times you can treat yourself.
