This rub is great for smoking any cut of pork–ribs, chops, steaks, or even a roast. It has its origins in one of the barbecue centers of America, Memphis, Tennessee, home of the Memphis in May barbecue cook-off. You can also use rubs on grilled meats, so the next time you grill pork (or lamb) chops, try this rub.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup paprika

• 2 tablespoons garlic salt

• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 1 tablespoon dry mustard

• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cayenne

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Store any unused rub in a sealed container in the freezer.

This finishing sauce is traditionally served over smoked ribs, but can also be converted into a basting sauce by adding more beer and a little more vinegar.

Ingredients

tomato sauce, red wine vinegar, hot sauce, butter, beer

Instructions

This is the sauce that is traditionally served over smoked ribs in Memphis and other parts of Tennessee. Some cooks add prepared yellow mustard to the recipe. It can be converted into a basting sauce by adding more beer and a little more vinegar. Add more hot sauce to taste, or substitute red chile or cayenne powder.

• 1 cup tomato sauce, preferably freshly made

• 1 cup red wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons Louisiana-style hot sauce

• 1 tablespoon butter

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup light beer

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat, but serve warm over smoked meats.

Yield: 2 ½ cups

Heat Scale: Mild

From another center of the barbecue universe comes one of the dry rubs that made the Kansas City Royal cook-off such a highly competitive event. Try this rub on turkey and chicken too.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons ground paprika

• 1 tablespoon white sugar

• 1 tablespoon garlic salt

• 1 tablespoon celery salt

• 1 tablespoon commercial chili powder

• 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne chile

• ½ teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Store any unused rub in a sealed container in the freezer.

Here is the way sauce is made for the famous American Royal cook-off in Kansas City–or at least this is our take on the subject. It is truly a finishing sauce and should not be used as a marinade or a basting sauce. Of course, spread it liberally over ribs just off the grill and serve plenty on the side

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 cup catsup

• 1/3 cup molasses

• 1/4 cup distilled vinegar

• 2 tablespoons commercial chili powder

• 2 teaspoons dry mustard

• 1 teaspoon celery salt

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne chile

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 cup water or more if needed

Instructions

Saute the onion and garlic in the oil until the onions are soft. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for ½ hour until thickened.