A bone-sucking rib recipe, plus the fixings

Whether you like them sweet and saucy, hot and spicy, or smoked to perfection, it's hard to resist getting your hands dirty eating a slab of ribs. But what is the best way to prepare them? In a special week-long series called "Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days," "Today" goes in search of the best-tasting ribs. In day one, Pat and Tony Neely, from Neely's Barbecue in Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., were invited on the show to share their secrets for Memphis-style pork ribs (plus all the fixings). Here are the recipes:

Neely's BBQ Pork Spare Ribs 
Ingredients
1 slab of pork spare ribs (about 4 lbs)
4 oz. bottle Neely's BBQ Seasoning (see recipe below)
1 bottle Neely's BBQ Sauce (see recipe below)

Directions
Place pork rib slab flat on a clean chopping board. Pull off membrane. Cut off the excess fat and meat. Season both sides of the slab with Neely's BBQ Seasoning and refrigerate the for at least 8 hours. Preheat your grill at 250 degrees, using hickory and charcoal. Place the slab on the grill away from the flame (using indirect heat). Cook the slab for approximately 2-1/2 hours with the curl side up.  Flip the over to finish cooking for approximately 1 hour or until you get full "bend" in the slab.

For dry ribs: Pull ribs off of grill, sprinkle Neely's BBQ Seasoning over entire slab. Cut bones and serve.

For wet ribs: Pull ribs off grill, pour Neely's BBQ Sauce over slab. Cut bones and serve.      
    
Neely's BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
32 oz. ketchup
16 oz. water
6 oz. brown sugar
6 oz. white sugar
1 tbsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. onion powder
1 tbsp. ground mustard
2 oz. Neely's BBQ Seasoning (see recipe below)
2 oz. lemon juice
2 oz. Worcestershire sauce
8 oz. apple-cider vinegar
2 oz. corn syrup

Recipes from Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days A bone-sucking rib recipe, plus the fixings Pat and Tony Neely serve up a slab (and sides) Memphis-style to kick off a 'Today' special series, 'Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days' Texas-style ribs that'll melt in your mouth In part two of a special series, 'Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days,' chef Kent Rathbun serves up Texas ribs and sides. Check out the recipes Don't buy your sauce from the grocery! In day three of a special series, 'Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days,' Ollie Gates of Gates BBQ in Kansas City, Mo., shares his smokin' recipe Where pork is pulled and ribs are hot! In day four of a special series, 'Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days,' father-and-daughter chefs share recipe secrets for North Carolina BBQ Say it ain't so! Tasty ribs from the oven? In the final day of a special series, 'Ribs 5 Ways in 5 Days,' barbecue experts have an outdoor-indoor cook-off. See recipes

Directions
Combine sauce ingredients in a stockpot, cook at a high temperature and bring to a boil. Stir to prevent sticking. Lower temperature and simmer without cover for at least 3 hours.

Neely's BBQ Seasoning
Ingredients
4 oz. paprika
2 oz. white sugar
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder

Directions
Simply mix the ingredients and set aside.

Neely's BBQ Spaghetti
Ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 pkg. (1.5 oz) Lawry's Original Spaghetti Sauce Spices & Seasonings
1/2 oz of Lawry's Garlic Salt
2 bottles (16 oz.) Neely's BBQ Sauce
2 lbs. cooked spaghetti
2 lbs. pork, beef or chicken, cooked and chopped into pieces

Directions
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add peppers, onion, Lawry's garlic salt. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently for 3 to 4 minutes. Add Lawry's Original Spaghetti Sauce Spices & Seasonings, bring to a boil, reduce eat and add Neely's BBQ Sauce, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Place spaghetti and meat into slow cooker and top with barbecue spaghetti sauce, cover at low temperature for 1 hour.

Neely's BBQ Cole Slaw
Ingredients
2 heads green cabbage, chopped
1/2 cup fine-chopped onions
1 cup fine-chopped carrots
12 oz. white sugar
1 oz. black pepper
1/2 tsp. red pepper
16 oz. mayonnaise
6 oz. mustard
2 oz. cider vinegar

SPECIAL COVERAGE News on nutrition, tastes and trends

Directions
Mix all ingredients thoroughly, chill for 1 hour and serve.

Neely's BBQ Baked Beans
Ingredients
2-16 oz. canned baked beans
8 oz. brown sugar
4 oz. molasses
2-bottles (16 oz) Neely's BBQ Sauce
3 oz. Neely's BBQ Seasoning
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 lb. pork or beef, chopped fine

Directions
Pour into a metal or glass baking dish. Mix all ingredients and stir. Cook the beans in oven at 250 degrees for 1 hour or until cooked thoroughly.

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