Today is what America should be all about! Yes, most of our families imigrated to this country for freedom and a better life and as much as we appreciate that we celebrate it with family and friends and great food! July 4th is all about freedom food family and friends, arguably, the greatest summer holiday!

Today also happens to be National Barbecued Sparerib Day! And I forgot to look ahead on my desk calendar for the upcoming “national day of”. Yes, I actually keep these dates write down and celebrate these quirky little events with my family. Coincidentally, I made ribs last night instead of waiting to do it today!

I’m a baby back rib fan so in my opinion these are close enough… I’ll give you some quick tips on how I prepare and cook them!

I start by cutting a rack of baby back ribs in half so they fit into the foil packet I slow roast them in. I then remove the silver skin that’s on the back, boney part of the rack. I dribble a little bit of beer over them while they’re laying on the foil. I fold in the middle of the foil, then I bring up the side, so it’s completely sealed. You want your foil packet to be totally sealed because the steam from the beer and the natural juices of the ribs help it slow-roast. I turn me oven on 275 and leave it unattended for about 3 hours.

You’re finished product is going to have pulled away from the bones at the tips, that is your indicator that it’s already tender. Which is what we want! Fall of the bone ribs!

The last step only takes about 5 to 10 minutes. You get your outside grill / BBQ nice and hot then turn the heat down very low. Place the ribs, meat side down first, for about 5 minutes to get grill marks. Turn them over and baste that side with your favor BBQ sauce. Repeat this process for the bony part of the ribs, as well.

This part goes quick!! So keep an eye on it because the ribs will burn very quickly with the sugars from the barbecue sauce.

Side note: I do not like rubs on my BBQ food but you could certainly season with a rub instead.of traditional BBQ sauce. If that’s how you choose to season your ribs, I would do that starting when you slow roast them and then add rub mixture before you put it on the grill.

No matter how you celebrate the independence and freedoms of our great country, be safe and be smart!

Rachel