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Video: Mmmmm! Ribs rubbed the right way

TODAY
updated 9/28/2005 2:21:20 AM ET 2005-09-28T06:21:20

Whether you like them sweet and saucy, hot and spicy, or smoked to perfection, it's hard to resist getting your hands dirty eating a slab of ribs. But what is the best way to prepare them? In a special week-long series called "Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days," "Today" goes in search of the best-tasting ribs. In day one, Pat and Tony Neely, from Neely's Barbecue in Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., were invited on the show to share their secrets for Memphis-style pork ribs (plus all the fixings). Here are the recipes:

Recipe: Neely's BBQ Pork Spare Ribs (on this page) Recipe: Neely's BBQ Spaghetti (on this page) Recipe: Neely's BBQ Cole Slaw (on this page) Recipe: Neely's BBQ Baked Beans (on this page)

Recipe: Neely's BBQ Pork Spare Ribs

Ingredients
  • 1 slab of pork spare ribs (about 4 lbs)
  • 4 oz. bottle Neely's BBQ Seasoning (see recipe below)
  • 1 bottle Neely's BBQ Sauce (see recipe below)
  • Neely's BBQ Sauce
  • 32 oz. ketchup
  • 16 oz. water
  • 6 oz. brown sugar
  • 6 oz. white sugar
  • 1 tbsp. black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. onion powder
  • 1 tbsp. ground mustard
  • 2 oz. Neely's BBQ Seasoning (see recipe below)
  • 2 oz. lemon juice
  • 2 oz. Worcestershire sauce
  • 8 oz. apple-cider vinegar
  • 2 oz. corn syrup
  • Neely's BBQ Seasoning
  • 4 oz. paprika
  • 2 oz. white sugar
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
Preparation

Place pork rib slab flat on a clean chopping board. Pull off membrane. Cut off the excess fat and meat. Season both sides of the slab with Neely's BBQ Seasoning and refrigerate the for at least 8 hours. Preheat your grill at 250 degrees, using hickory and charcoal. Place the slab on the grill away from the flame (using indirect heat). Cook the slab for approximately 2-1/2 hours with the curl side up.  Flip the over to finish cooking for approximately 1 hour or until you get full "bend" in the slab.

For dry ribs: Pull ribs off of grill, sprinkle Neely's BBQ Seasoning over entire slab. Cut bones and serve.

Neely's BBQ Sauce
Combine sauce ingredients in a stockpot, cook at a high temperature and bring to a boil. Stir to prevent sticking. Lower temperature and simmer without cover for at least 3 hours.

Neely's BBQ Seasoning
Simply mix the ingredients and set aside.

Recipe: Neely's BBQ Spaghetti

Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 pkg. (1.5 oz) Lawry's Original Spaghetti Sauce Spices and Seasonings
  • 1/2 oz of Lawry's Garlic Salt
  • 2 bottles (16 oz.) Neely's BBQ Sauce
  • 2 lbs. cooked spaghetti
  • 2 lbs. pork, beef or chicken, cooked and chopped into pieces
Preparation

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add peppers, onion, Lawry's garlic salt. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently for 3 to 4 minutes. Add Lawry's Original Spaghetti Sauce Spices & Seasonings, bring to a boil, reduce eat and add Neely's BBQ Sauce, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Place spaghetti and meat into slow cooker and top with barbecue spaghetti sauce, cover at low temperature for 1 hour.

Recipe: Neely's BBQ Cole Slaw

Ingredients
  • 2 heads green cabbage, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fine-chopped onions
  • 1 cup fine-chopped carrots
  • 12 oz. white sugar
  • 1 oz. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper
  • 16 oz. mayonnaise
  • 6 oz. mustard
  • 2 oz. cider vinegar
Preparation

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, chill for 1 hour and serve.

Recipe: Neely's BBQ Baked Beans

Ingredients
  • 2-16 oz. canned baked beans
  • 8 oz. brown sugar
  • 4 oz. molasses
  • 2-bottles (16 oz) Neely's BBQ Sauce
  • 3 oz. Neely's BBQ Seasoning
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 lb. pork or beef, chopped fine
Preparation

Pour into a metal or glass baking dish. Mix all ingredients and stir. Cook the beans in oven at 250 degrees for 1 hour or until cooked thoroughly.

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