The newest American Holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, comes as a welcome break during the cold, mundane period between the holidays and the first signs of spring. Not only does this holiday give us a day off from work and school, it gives us the opportunity to serve “soul food” in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ever since the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, which took place in January, 1986, I’ve been cooking soul food for my family on the third Monday of each year.

One of the most delicious soul food dishes is Southern Style Baby Back Ribs. A friend of mine told me how he prepared his baby back ribs; his method was intriguing, so I adapted it to the slow cooker to make it faster and easier. By using a slow cooker rather than the oven, the ribs can cook while no one is at home, and will be ready to serve at dinnertime.

In many parts of the South, ribs are cooked until very tender, then served with barbecue sauce on the side. The following recipe results in ribs so tender that they’ll fall off the bone; the actual hands-on time spent is less than 10 minutes. These ribs are seasoned well, then wrapped in plastic wrap and over-wrapped in foil. This method keeps the juices in so that your ribs stay juicy and delicious.

If you like, you may transfer the ribs to a grill and brush them with barbecue sauce or place in a baking dish, cover with barbecue sauce, and bake until bubbly.

8 Servings

6 pounds baby back pork ribs

Lawry's seasoned salt, or your favorite brand of seasoning such as Cajun, Salt & Spice, or Garlic Pepper

Take each slab of ribs (you should have 3 slabs, about 2 pounds each) and cut into thirds between bones. Cover them liberally with seasoning salt. Wrap each of the pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with aluminum foil. Place in the crock of the slow cooker (you'll need a 5 quart or larger one), cover with the lid, and turn the cooker to low. Cook 6-8 hours or until the ribs are tender.

Heat the barbecue sauce and serve it with the ribs.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 929 Calories from Fat 681
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 73% Protein 27% Carb. 0%

Nutrient Amount per
Serving
Total Fat 76 g
Saturated Fat 28 g
Cholesterol 302 mg
Sodium 430 mg
Total Carbohydrate 0 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 62 g

Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 1% Calcium 0% Iron 20%

---

Southern Barbecue Sauce

2 cups catsup
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke, (optional)
1/2 cup chicken broth plus any juices from the ribs in the slow cooker
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce, (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a microwaveable bowl; cook on high 3-4 minutes or until boiling.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 90 Calories from Fat 4
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 4% Protein 4% Carb. 92%

Nutrient Amount per
Serving
Total Fat 0 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 541 mg
Total Carbohydrate 21 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 8% Vitamin C 10% Calcium 0% Iron 4%