skip to main content

Preparing baby back ribs

17 years ago

Do you all peel off the fatty film (don't know what to call it) on the back side of the ribs? I never used to but lately I've been reading where people say that it should be removed.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

countryham
17 years ago
Its called membrane, I think and you I remove it!
User
17 years ago
I always remove it but I know many others don't. Not sure if it matters one way or another in terms of cooking but I prefer it off when I am eating them.
Related Discussions
How to harvest babies and prepare for shipping?
Q
Comments (7)
One thing that I do find true about salvias is that when you dig them up to ship them out, certain species of salvia need to be potted and pampered through the transplant shock of having their roots ripped out of the ground, and once stabilized, then they can be shipped with some dirt around their roots , a wet paper towel and plastic holding the dirt balled around the roots. I just received a dead salvia stick from a trader and she had just dug up her plant and mailed it to me. Maybe you can do this with other plants, but not salvia. They will die in the box. I think that salvia rootings need to be ROOTED and mailed with dirt around their roots.
...See More
Baby back vs Spare ribs
Q
Comments (9)
I saw on one of the morning shows for summer cooking that the best way to cook ribs is on the grill. I had never had much luck until I tried this way. I used one of the large roasting pans like you use for a turkey, with the reinforced bottom and the handles. You wrap the ribs in heavy duty foil, first rubbing with whatever seasonings you prefer and you add ice cubes in with the ribs. I then sealed the pan with foil too. Cook on your grill for about 45 minutes. CAREFULLY unwrap and put ribs on the grill to brown. Then during the last 15 minutes only you add your sauce. The ribs come out tender and not strong. I have never liked them with I have parboiled them. I don't know why the ice makes a difference, obviously it melts into water and then steam as it heats but its the only way I will cook them now. I still like Chilis Brown Sugar Baby Backs best though!
...See More
Had some of the best ribs I've ever had tonight
Q
Comments (12)
I know a lot of people use a pressure cooker for ribs and it makes for quick ribs (and other foods). I thought about buying a pressure cooker, especially an electric one but decided against it. I usually brown the ribs, give them a seasoning rub, then into the Nesco and slow cook for a couple of hours. Buffets, Inc. closed down over 80 of their locations but all of the ones in MN stayed open. Guess we patronize them enough to stay open. It's interesting to see peoples' choices. I'm not into "people watching" much but sometimes get a kick out of how people dine. I used to be one who liked ribs drenched in sauce. After trying the "Memphis style" at Chili's I enjoyed them so much I went on a search for different rubs (and found hundreds, well, way more than that!) and now experiment with different rubs. I sometimes add some sauce afterward. And I'm really a fan of country style ribs and yes I know they're technically more of a "chop" but when you cook 'em like ribs and the pork boys are satisfied with the name, that's good enough for me. Hi Sooey. I like the Cook's Country and America's Test Kitchen shows and agree, they have a good website. They don't talk down to you like so many of the cooking shows do, they seem to try to teach. Some of their recipes get a little overboard to get the "perfect" whatever but I still pick up some tips and stuff from the show. Once you know the basics of making ribs, they're not difficult. And usually they're always good if cooked tender. (I'm still full from yesterday!) :)
...See More
X smoker preparing house for Grand Baby
Q
Comments (49)
So sad. I feel she is looking down her nose at you as a stinky ex-smoker. You must be banned, you are the devil! I would just stay quiet on the matter. Ignorance is bliss and don't give her any more opportunity to talk down to you. A grandparents love and knowledge they pass down is more important than squabbling over bloody carpet. I feel for you really. My inlaws sound the same as your DIL's mum. They visibly used to crinkle their noses and sneer when my mum went outside for a cigarette, come back in change her top and wash her hands and teeth and then cuddle my first born. They even got to me a bit and I mentioned it to my mum who was very hurt understandably. Having four children now, I stick up for myself a lot. And just go quiet and change conversation when I see ' the face' starting to form. I agree with the poster who said, it's weird DIL's allergies only come on in your house when they have two Labradors one of the worst breeds of dog for shedding continuously, year round and they have a double coat so there is a lot of dander too. False objections There is a lot out there these days to hurt our children. Diesel particulates from being in a pushchair next to a road right in the line of the exhausts. Mobile phones and the masts, coal and nuclear power. Foods, poisons that leach into our water. Even fluoridation of water. At some point we all have to die. That's the only guarantee in this life. Life spent worrying and holding back is not really the way I'd like my one chance to go. This is a tense time so I'd lay low. Wait till baby is here and just get involved. After all, it's not like baby will be with you a lot of the time any dangers that are perceived are so low frequency. Sounds like this baby needs you in his or her life to inject a dose of reality and not 'bubble' or 'sugarcoat' things. i am a non smoker, have never smoked Hate it. But I think you are being made into a bit of a scapegoat hereHave just read your update above. How bloody sad. I wouldn't let this happen if I were you. Swallow your pride and make yourself part of that baby's life. Why should that woman get things all her way. Like you say, well planned. Perfectly executed. Set the seeds and walk away and you end up looking like the awkward one while she gets to coo over your grandson. Please, do not let this carry on. Call your son and meet somewhere and take things slowly but go from there. Your son needs you too.
...See More
velodoug
17 years ago
You'll also see it called silverskin. If you're going for falling-off-the-bone tender ribs it should be removed. Otherwise it's fine to leave it alone.

--Doug
shaun
17 years ago
I leave it.
lindac
17 years ago
I peel it off....you get more tender ribs when you take it off.
Linda C
annie1992
17 years ago
I leave it because I don't want my ribs falling apart, I like to be able to pick them up with my fingers and not fall off the bone.

However, if I made ribs for Dad I always took the membrane off because his false teeth gave him trouble if the ribs were too "chewy".

Annie
foodonastump
17 years ago
Could mine maybe come without it? I've never noticed it nor removed it, and I've certainly never had anything but extremely tender ribs.
mustangs81
17 years ago
I have never removed it until I tried the Awesome Oven Ribs (TeresaNC??) recipe posted here of the CF. And they were AWESOME!! I decided I would remove the silverskin going forward.

Dry the membrane, grab a corner with a paper towel, pull, and it comes off easily.
wizardnm
17 years ago
I always remove it, love the ribs to fall off the bone.

Nancy
User
17 years ago
Foodonastump....I don't think I have ever seen baby backs without the silverskin. It's on the underside and is very thin almost transparent but a bit milky.

My ribs, silverskin removed, are extremely tender. The meat doesn't literally fall off the bone, it stays on the bone as you eat them but it is moist and very, very tender.
wizardnm
17 years ago
Chase, wish I could grab those ribs, right off my screen!
sapphires
17 years ago
Mustangs,
Care to share a link or the recipe for the Awesome Oven Ribs? I tried searching and for whatever reason couldn't find it. Thank you.

Sapphires
lindac
17 years ago
A good butcher will remove the silverskin....Sam's club will not.
Falling off the bone ribs are not produced by removing the silver skin but my moist cooking with a sauce for a long time.
I like 'em either way and with or without the silver skin.
Linda C
annie1992
17 years ago
That's true, LindaC, you can have falling off the bone tender ribs if you cook them for a long time, even leaving the silverskin on. Dad didn't like it, though, claimed it got stuck in his teeth somehow, so I removed it and cooked ribs until they fell apart. He didn't like BBQ sauce on anything else except ribs.

I don't want my ribs to be falling apart tender, I want them to have some substance, so I leave the silverskin on and I don't cook them as long. You can pull two rib bones apart, but the meat doesn't fall off them at all, you have to bite it off, if that makes sense.

Since I'll eat them either way, I don't see the purpose in removing the silverskin when cooking for myself. If cooking for others, I might.

Annie
foodonastump
17 years ago
Gee thanks, Chase. Soley because of you, intead of an egg white omlette with broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and onion and a glass of V8 Fusion, lunch was at TGI Fridays, a half rack of Jack Daniels Glazed Ribs and a Jack & Coke. At least I sub'd mixed veggies for the fries. Ok, maybe two Jack and Cokes...
lazycook
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll leave the membrane on next time. The last few times couldn't even pick up the ribs without it falling apart.
User
17 years ago
LOL Foodonastump!!! Good choice , except for the veggies! LOL

lazycook I would be interested in seeing your recipe. I take the silverskin off but never does the meat "fall off" the bones or fall apart. My ribs are moist, tender and hold together beautifully.

I agree with Linda, falling right off the bones literally, is more a product of long cooking in a moist sauce than anything to do with the silverskin.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Reboot Your Child’s Room for Back-to-School Time

By Laura Gaskill

Give a preschooler to teen a room that’s more age appropriate, fun or to their taste

KIDS’ SPACES 15 Tips for Small-Space Living With Baby

By Laura Gaskill

Keep your wee one's stuff under control and your nerves unfrazzled with these space-saving storage and baby-gear ideas

BEDROOMS Room of the Day: Chic Neutrals Give a Nursery an Edge

No little-boy blues in this California baby’s room. Black and white walls and graphic accents promise to grow with him

PETS So You're Thinking About Getting a Dog

By Alison Hodgson

Prepare yourself for the realities of training, cost and the impact that lovable pooch might have on your house

DECLUTTERING Decluttering — Don't Let Fear Hold You Back

By Alison Hodgson

Sure, you might make a mistake when tackling a decluttering project, but that's OK. Here's why

DECORATING GUIDES Pop Culture Watch: 12 Home Trends from the '80s Are Back

By Becky Harris

Hold on to your hat (over your humongous hair); interior design elements of the 1980s have shot forward to today, in updated fashion

ORGANIZING Get Up to Speed for Back to School — 12 Tips for Smooth Sailing

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

New schedules and clothes, paperwork piles ... and where did all the Band-Aids go? These tips will help you ace the new school year

FEEL-GOOD HOME Simple Pleasures: Scent and Memory

By Laura Gaskill

Fragrant jasmine, fresh-brewed coffee, baking bread. Scents can evoke memories and bring sensory pleasure to our homes

KIDS’ SPACES Kids’ Rooms: 10 Gender-Neutral Nursery Ideas

Create a sweet space to suit you and your new baby — whether a boy or a girl

HEALTHY HOME How to Childproof Your Home: A Grandmother’s Wisdom

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Change kids’ behaviors, not your entire house, to keep the designs you like and prepare children for reality

Sponsored

AIS Renovations

15 Reviews

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Pros and Cons of Switching from Gas to Induction Cooking

25

What's cooking -- or not?

37

American Chestnuts and Black Walnuts

6

Follow-ups and Thanks re Pie, Fruit Leather and Halloween

6

What would you take??

16