Month: January 2020

Three Tips for Making Great Ribs

Michael Hockett of Chesapeake, Virginia, worked in the auto auction industry for more than 40 years before he transitioned to a career as an independent real estate developer. In his free time in Virginia, Michael Hockett is famous in his family for cooking ribs.

Among barbecue enthusiasts, ribs are a best-loved dish that need the correct cooking approach. Successfully grilling a rack of ribs does not have to be difficult if you follow these three tips:

1. Remove the membrane.

A rack of ribs typically has a thin membrane running along its underside. This membrane becomes tough and almost inedible when cooked, and it inhibits the absorption of spices and smoke flavors in the cooking process. When prepping ribs, remove the membrane by sliding a knife under it and carefully pulling it away from the rack.

2. Do not boil ribs before you grill them.

While boiling or otherwise precooking your ribs can reduce overall cooking time, it can also sap the ribs of flavor. For cooking ribs, low and slow is the way to go.

3. Do not add barbecue sauce until the end.

As for rubs, spices, and smoke, a little goes a long way. Apply multiple layers of flavor, but do not overpower the natural flavor of the ribs. Wait until the very end of your grilling session to apply barbecue sauce or you may end up with charred ribs.

A Look at Piper Aircraft’s Malibu and M350

Virginia-based business leader Michael Hockett boasts over four decades of experience working in the auto auction industry. He also works as an independent real estate developer focused on short-term rental properties in the area of Chesapeake, Virginia. Outside of his professional pursuits, Michael Hockett enjoys a variety of activities, including piloting his Malibu M350 aircraft.

Introduced in 1983 by Piper Aircraft, Inc., the PA-46 Malibu is a cabin-class single-engine piston aircraft that has stood the test of time, thanks in part to a bit of redesigning along the way. The first redesign came in the late 1980s when the 310-horsepower (HP) Malibu was refitted with a more powerful 350 HP Lycoming single engine. The latest iteration of the PA-46 Malibu is the M350, which hit the market in 2015.

With a dual-turbocharged engine powering a Hartzell three-blade propeller, the M350 is capable of cruising at up to 213 knots (approximately 245 MPH) with a maximum range of around 1545 miles. The engine performance is only a part of the appeal of the M350, which also has a luxurious interior with premium leather, wood/metal trim, lighting controls, power plugs, beverage holders, and seat controls.

Another highlight of the six-seat M350 is the enhanced Garmin NXi G1000 Avionics Suite. Top features of the system include electronic stability and stall protection, automatic level mode, and an autopilot mode capable of flying the plane unassisted at lower altitudes.