What is a “Shiner”?

A shiner is an exposed bone on a rack of ribs. It is what unfortunately happens when a butcher cuts too close to the bone. Ribs should be meaty all over, so if you see a rack with shiners at the market, look for something better. Also avoid all ribs with dry edges or yellowish fat. And know that fresh ribs will almost always yield better results than previously frozen ribs.