The King of Rock ‘n Roll and Ribs

Elvis would be 75 today. I can’t imagine him that old. It’s almost obscene that someone that cool could even be 75. Like Marilyn or James Dean. Believe me; before he got fat and pitiful, Elvis was the definition of cool.

I have made the pilgrimage to Graceland, in the guise of taking my 70 year old aunt to someplace she’s always wanted to see. Elvis did, indeed, have lousy taste in decorating even for the 1970’s. He did have nice chandeliers and yes, the Jungle Room is kind of awesome. He ate his breakfast there every day, right on the coffee table. I especially enjoyed his collection of TV’s with bullet holes.

As someone who likes to cook, I would have enjoyed cooking for Elvis. He seemed like the kind of guy who would have loved anything you made for him. One thing Elvis did love was ribs. Living in the Great White North, it’s hard to barbecue ribs when there is an R in the month but after much research I’ve come up with a pretty good oven method. I’m not including a sauce recipe, mine goes with me to the grave. Elvis would have wanted it that way…

Candy's Rock 'n Roll Ribs

Start with the rub

¾ cup Brown Sugar light or dark
1 Tblsp Paprika
1 Tblsp Garlic Powder
(Optional) 1 tsp Penzey’s Galena Street Rib Rub can be ordered from penzeys.com
or ½ tsp cayenne pepper

Mix the above ingredients.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

4 lbs Baby Back Ribs, some people remove the membrane on the under side of the ribs, I don’t, but you can if you want.

Salt and pepper the ribs and apply the rib rub all over.

Lay the ribs on two layers of foil with the shiny side out, cover the ribs with two layers of foil shiny side out. Seal edges tightly, turn edges up to seal really tight.

Place your rib packet on a baking sheet and bake for 2 to 2 and ½ hours, if your ribs are really meaty it could be 3 hours, or until the meat is starting to pull away from the bone.

Remove ribs from oven and turn heat up to 350 degrees.

Cut the ribs into serving size and place in baking dish, slather with your favorite sauce and place back in oven until sauce is bubbly. About ½ hour or so. I’d check on them after 20 min.