Nothing Says Love Like Barbecue

Late to plan your Valentine’s Day celebration? Don’t panic- plan a delicious meal that will smoke the heartstrings of your Valentine on this special holiday. Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like a meal you put your heart and soul into creating.

Barbecue is the perfect meal because after you prep the meat of your choice, you have plenty of time to get the other Valentine’s Day essentials done. This includes red roses, candlelight, chocolates and dim lighting – all necessary for a romantic evening. We thought we’d help you with the barbecue part because we know you’ll have your hands full. Ribs are the quintessential romantic dish and we’ve shared a Dickey’s favorite from Mr. Dickey’s Barbecue Cookbook. You know you love someone when you can eat ribs in front of them.

 

Pork Ribs with Sweet Barbecue Sauce

Yields one rack (11 to 13 ribs)

Smoking Temperature: 270 to 295 degrees F

Smoking Time: 3 to 3 ½ hours

Kindling: Hickory Log, quartered

 

1 rack St. Louis-style pork ribs

3 ounces Rib Ticklin’ Rib Rub

Sweet Barbecue Sauce (see recipe)

 

Place some kindling and a few pieces of newspaper sprinkled with canola oil inside your firebox and light.  Once the flame burns steadily (in about 3 to 4 minutes) add a hickory log and bring the temperature inside your smoker to between 270 and 295 degrees F.  (Make sure your thermometer is calibrated)

Sprinkle Dickey’s Rib Rub over the entire rib rack and use your hands to rub it in.  Place the ribs bone-side down on the smoker.  This will allow the smoke to channel under the ribs and achieve an overall smoked flavor.

Place a foil loaf pan full of water in the smoker as close to the firebox as possible.  Replenish the water in the pan as needed.

While maintaining a temperature between 270 and 295 degrees F, smoke the pork ribs for 3 to 3 ½ hours.  Be sure to check your temperature, adjust the vent, or replenish the wood every 20 minutes during the smoking time.  Do not flip, turn, or poke the ribs with a fork at any time during the process.

I suggest performing what’s called a “break test” for doneness.  Grab the rib rack with a pair of tongs.  If they immediately begin to “break,” (not bounce) they’re ready.  If they are still “bouncy” let them smoke for another 20 minutes.  Once all of the ribs have passed the “break test,” remove them from the smoker, set aside and let them rest for 5 to 7 minutes.

To cut and serve, flip the ribs bone-side up to get a cleaner cut and allow the bones to be more visible. Make a clean cut between the bones.  You should get 11 to 13 ribs from one rack.  Flip the ribs over and glaze them with Dickey’s Sweet Barbecue Sauce and serve hot.