Some people, unaccountably, are curious as to how my rib barbecue turned out last night.

Pretty good, though not as tender (read, falling off the bone) as the Fourth of July version, because I was attempting to avoid that, so the meat wouldn't fall off the bone while grilling it and be wasted in the nether regions of the grill.

I made up a marinade of apple vinegar, lemon juice, a bottle of Shiner Bock (just to piss off the Texas haters in the crowd), garlic, hot sauce and other chile derivatives, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, fresh-ground pepper, and whatnot (sorry, I'd provide quantities, but I didn't pay much attention--you'll have to do it to taste, and I know that novice cooks hate those words...). I put it in the bottom of the pan and slow cooked the ribs, rib side down, in the oven at 250 F for about three or four hours. Then I put the ribs on the grill (indirect heat) and continued to baste with the marinade, turning occasionally, for another hour and a half or so. I took about half the marinade, added honey and tomato sauce and paste for a sauce, and heated it on the stove. I basted this on for the last few minutes (so as not to allow the sugar to burn), then saved the rest for adding at the table.

They came out pretty good, definitely cooked, and little left but bone after eating, but they held together throughout until time to actually pull the meat off with teeth.

So I'd say it was a success.

Oh, and I should add, not to name drop or anything, that the guests were fellow and recent (though he was born and raised here) south Floridians Bob Poole and his wife Lou Villadsen, of the Reason Foundation. I may have an interview with him on the current airline security fiasco shortly, in conjunction with the fifth anniversary of 9/11. Which makes it all the better that the ribs came out well...

Have you ever thought about being a vegan? I'd highly recommend it, not only do you save animals from needless suffering, it's much healthier for you also.

Yum.... Barbequed troll meat....

Hmm, X, we respect your choice but... have you seen the teeth we humans sport on the front half of our mouths? Made for ripping and cutting, yes, meat. We're meant to be omnivore, not plant-eaters.

And meat is good. Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood. Mmmmm... Great, now I'm hungry.

Time for a smoker with a firebox. You're in the south now lol.

Love the touch of Shiner Bock. Conversly, I live in Texas and cooked shrimp marinated with Stella Atrios lager from Belgium. We also had ribeye steaks marinated in Grub Rub. It was a great weekend for meat lovers at our house.

I'm glad your weekend was successful too, Rand.

You're in the south now

Actually, I'm not. I'm in the sixth borough of New York, with better winter weather. From here, you have to go north to get south.

...save animals from needless suffering...

Hmmm, if the animal is alive in this world with all the pollution etc, killing them to eat them is a mercy. Go meat go!

I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat grass. And if animals weren't meant to be eaten, why are they made of meat?

Warning: I may be back to this thread with more cliches.

Eat meat! Keep cows from extinction!

Every anumal domesticated by (read: symbiotic with) Homo Sapiens has been remarkably successful.

With animals inflicting so much suffering on one another, lions on antelope etc., I'm inclined to belief that this is how "Mother Earth" intended it to be. And shouldn't we all strive to do that which pleases Mother Earth? I know I’m doing my part, how about you? Eat an animal; make Mother Earth proud!

Here's my cliche contribution: Vegetables are what food eats.