Ribs is actually one of those things that have been debated for years. I own and run my own catering company and ANY REAL CHEF will tell you there is no "RIGHT" way to cook any certain food. different foods are cooked and recipes are handed down, twisted and made different by EVERY culture. Every Chef has "his/her" own way of doing things and THAT is why to many Chefs in the Kitchen Spoil the Sauce. Criticizing someone bcuz of there cooking ways is DEFINITLY unaccetable! Doesn't mea you have to ENJOY their Food, but how they cook it is there own and unique way and should never be criticized!
DryRibs, Smoked ribs, boiled ribs, oven ribs, saucy ribs. There is no "CORRECT" way to do it. In the end if your ribs are moist, tender and flavorful. Then you've cooked them correctly. Boiling RIBS CAN be done and has been done. ALTHOUGH Sponge is "CORRECT" Boiling Ribs WILL take away from meat flavor, but your spice rub or sauce or whatever marinade you may use will be the flavor and few will ever notice, except "TRUE" meat LOVERS, which is why down in the BBQ states such as Texas or Kansas City you probably wouldn't find many people boiling ribs. However Fatdaddy is also correct BOILING your ribs will tenderize them as well. Tenderizing the MEAT can be done MANY different ways tho. You can marinade them overnight, follow by cooking them 2-4 hours in the oven on a low temp. Boiling the ribs is also another method. You can ALSO wrap in aluminum foil with whatever rub, then cook slowly on the BBQ for about 6-8 hours and still get tender ribs. Fatdaddy as a CIA graduate it is surprising that you would say there is a "CORRECT" way of cooking ribs when it is one of the cooking methods and eating methods as well that has and ALWAYS will be debated. Basically there is no "CORRECT WAY" to cook or eat a rib. Just follow the recipe and it should turn out fine.
Here is a recipe that my family enjoys. It is available online also if you google it. I just added my own twist to it, with the orange marmalade.
RIBS
GARLIC POWDER
ONION POWDER
SALT
PEPPER
JACK DANIELS BBQ SAUCE
ORANGE MARMALADE
CAN of COKE SODA (regular no diet)
Put ribs into some kind of deep dish where they will be covered by the marinade
MIX 1/2 BOTTLE OF JD BBQ SAUCE, GARLIC P0WDER, ONION POWDER, SALT AND PEPPER AND 2TABLESPOONS OF ORANGE MARMALADE.
1 Can of Coke.
Mix all TOGETHER...Pour OVER RIBS, cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours. The next day stick in the oven on 225 Degrees for 2-4 Hours, sauce and all. Be careful bcuz they are fall off the bone tender at this point coming out of the oven.
You can do that ALL the day before your BBQ or they can go right onto the grill at this point.
Mix the remaining JD BBQ, 1 Tablespoons of Orange Marmalade, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, salt and pepper together all to taste. Brush onto your ribs and throw them on the grill on MED-HIGH for about 10 minutes, flipping once or twice and brushing your sauce mixture onto the ribs. Enjoy!