Okay, let’s preface this post with, “I can cook, I just don’t want to cook, often.” That’s a wonderful thing about being 49andcounting, with all the kids out of the nest, you only have to cook for major holidays. I, myself, choose to cook a whole lot less these days, and in my books grilling-out is cooking! (note…that is why My Big Boy and I are failing at our diet!)
I’ve always been a meat and potatoes gal, and I married a meat and potatoes man. So fancy isn’t my way, but I can make a mean pan of fried chicken.
With all that said, the 4th is coming up, and I’ve been contemplating what to feed the crew. This week I made my first, yes, my first, rack of ribs. And they were fall-a-part, melt-in-your-mouth, delicious! Thought I’d share the recipe. (I, personally, like food that is easy, that will pack a punch, so stick with me here…you’ll come out a winner!)
4th of July Ribs
1 rack of pork spareribs 1 T garlic powder
1/2 t liquid smoke 1 1/2 t black pepper
1/4 C Dijon-style mustard 1/2 t salt
2 T packed brown sugar
Heat oven to 300 degrees F. (I used my big electric roaster, just like the old kind in the church kitchen, lined it with foil, and plugged it in outside, smelled so good all day :))
Stir liquid smoke into mustard. Combine brown sugar, garlic powder, pepper and salt in small bowl. Brush meatier side of slab of ribs with liquid smoke-mustard mixture. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over mustard. Place ribs in foil lined roasting pan. Roast for 3 hours at 300 degrees. (At this point, I brushed on BBQ Sauce, turned the temp down to 200, and let it cook until supper time, probably an hour more.)
My plan, stopping by a roadside stand and grabbing some corn, cantaloupe and watermelon. A little shuckin, a little washing, a little cutting, ribs are roasting…and waalaa…the feast is on. May have to add potato salad, but sorry, can’t give you that recipe, it’s just a little of this and a little of that, and I’m just so darn good at it, I amaze myself!
Okay, and maybe a strawberry shortcake cake….(see why this diet isn’t working?!) If I can work it out while we’re driving the 20 hours to Kansas, I’ll post it tomorrow. And I promise you, you will be blessed! It’s over-the-top amazing, and impresses all who even just look at it.
If not, have a safe and happy 4th of July. God Bless America and you.
49andcounting 
YOU are amazing, Michaela!! 🙂
You wanna come tell my husband that! LOL