German Flanken Ribs w/Fig Jam

 

     I discovered Flanken Style ribs years ago when I made a Short Rib Lasagna dinner for my brother-in-law and kids who were putting a new roof on mom's house.  It was a a serious 'hit'.  Beef Flanken Rib Lasagna Since then, I made it again only recently and discovered this type of ribs are not easy to find, obviously a regional thing.  I found them here in South Texas during the winter.  I picked up enough for this recipe as well as to take north this spring.  These are a slimmer rib, crosscut rather than the usual parallel cut of ribs, resulting in a line of small riblet 'coin' bones extruding from the meat. They are still delicious; a rich beef flavor augmented by whatever you choose to season/flavor them with.  

      I love German Food, I have used figs on ribs on the grill once before, but once I found this recipe, I realized it was tailor made German.  You can make them in the oven, on the grill, or smoke them.  I chose the smoke.  No rub, over oak, and low heat, 200F for several hours till internal temps reach 195-205F.    

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp paprika

1 Tbsp fresh chopped thyme

1-1/4 tsp kosher salt - divided

1 rack of beef flanken style ribs (usually 4-5)

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 bay leaf

3/4 cup fig jam or preserves

3 Tbsp canned tomato sauce

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground chipotle or ancho pepper

 

      Mix well chicken stock, bay leaf, fig jam, tomato sauce, cider vinegar, and ancho or chipotle pepper.  Set aside. 

Ready to go into the pit

     Fire up wood pit and season ribs with pepper, paprika, thyme, and salt.  Place in pit for 2 hours to 2 ½ hours; until nearly done, pliable, but do not tear off.

Ribs @ 150; baste with fig sauce

Ribs glazed & done at 195F

      Coat ribs with the Fig BBQ mix and return. Return to wood pit or open grill and cook uncovered for an additional hour.  Serve with German Fried Taters, Potato Salad, Breaded Cauliflower, Three Bean Salad, Pickled Red Cabbage, or whatever you desire.  Barb loved these.

Plated with German Fried Taters and Pickled Red Cabbage

"Guten Appetite"

83.2 million Germans

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