Barbecue: A Meal for All Seasons  

By Robert Haught
   For anyone who likes barbecue, this is a a dish that' s good any time of the year. But it especially hits the spot during the chilly season.
   The spicy flavors of pork or beef warm the heart as well as the stomach, so everybody should have a good barbecue recipe handy.
   Begin with the meat. Beef is what you'll find in the Southwest and it's hard to beat. But maybe because I'm married to a Georgia girl I've swung over to pork. And my favorite choice for barbecue is country ribs.
   Cut from the blade end of the pork loin, next to the shoulder, these ribs contain a lot of fat, and may or may not contain bone. They are not the easiest type of rib for eating with the fingers because of the placement of the fat throughout the meat and the shape of the bone. But they are tasty.
   Country ribs also are a cheap cut, but if they're cooked right you wouldn't know it. And they are ideal for my three-step cooking process. 

   Ingredients:
   4 lb. country ribs
   4 T dry pork rub (I use McCormick's Grill Mates)
   Water
   Tomato or vegetable juice (optional)

   Prep:
   Trim fat. Cut meat into smaller pieces.

   Step One:
   PARBOIL in approximately two quarts of water, with 1 tsp. salt.
Add meat, bring to a boil, turn off heat, set for a few minutes. Remove meat with tongs and drain.
   The parboiling removes some fat and helps to tenderize.


   Step Two:
   BAKE - Place in greased baking pan. Generously sprinkle dry pork rub over meat. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees one hour and 15 minutes. Check with fork for tenderness.






   Step Three:
   SLOW COOK - Transfer to crockpot. Add one cup water. Cook on high 1-1/2 hours. With wooden spoon break up meat and remove bones. Switch to low, and after about 1 hour break up meat again. Add one cup tomato or vegetable juice. Cook on low another 30 minutes.
   With fork or potato masher break up meat to consistency of pulled pork.
   Add your favorite barbecue sauce and cook on slow another 30 minutes.
   Check for seasoning. Add salt, pepper, hot sauce to taste.

   Serve with slaw, baked beans or other accompaniments.