North Carolina House Ribs

(Courtesy of Sunny Anderson)

Ingredients:
1/2 c. kosher salt
8 c. water
3 lb. baby back pork ribs
2 c. cider vinegar
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. hot sauce
1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. liquid smoke
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 c. beer, room temperature

Directions:
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine kosher salt and water and stir to combine and dissolve salt.  Remove brine from the heat and let cool to room temperature.  Cut 1/2 inch slits between bones on underside of the rib racks.  Place ribs in a large resealable bag set in a baking dish.  Pour in the salt brine, seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.  In a small saucepan, add the vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, 2 tsp. liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, to taste.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Whisk until well-combined, then remove from the heat.  Reserve 1 c. of the mixture as dipping sauce and hold, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve.  Reserve remaining mixture to baste the ribs as they cook.

Remove ribs from the refrigerator and discard brine.  Pat ribs dry and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with a wire rack.  Combine beer with 1 Tbsp. liquid smoke in a small bowl and pour into the bottom of the baking sheet.  Brush pork with marinade on both sides.  Bake in the preheated oven, brushing every 20 minutes or so.  Cook for about 3 hours or until the meat is knife-tender.  Remove from the oven to a serving platter and serve with reserved dipping sauce.