3 cups apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 cup vegetable oil
4 racks of ribs
4 cups of barbecue sauce, your favorite kind
Since you’ll be using four racks of ribs, you may need to use a plastic trash can bag in which to marinate them. (Use a new one, for sure!)
Dump the apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, garlic powder and the vegetable oil into the plastic bag. Jostle it around so all these ingredients mix together. Place the racks of ribs into the bag with the other ingredients, tie it tight so it won’t leak, jostle it around some more so all the ribs get coated, then put it into the refrigerator overnight.
If at all possible, jostle the bag with the ribs and liquid 2-3 times more by morning to be sure you have everything coated with the flavors. Heat up the barbecue grill, throw away the marinade and put the ribs on the grill.
Be sure to brown the ribs on both sides, but don’t let them burn. When browned put the ribs into a baking dish or pan in one layer. You may need a couple of baking dishes or pans.
Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Spread the barbecue sauce all over the ribs and bake until the sauce is absorbed. You can heat some of the barbecue sauce and set bowls of it on the table for those who like to use it as a dip.
You’ll definitely be the new king of the grill, but don’t claim the title or brag about it in front of Dad. Let him enjoy the special ribs on his special day.
Readers with questions or comments for Dave Kessler may write to him in care of this publication.