Smokey Pork Ribs

Steve LOVES ribs!!! Last night I decided to smoke a full rack of pork ribs all by myself. Let me clarify something here....I love to BBQ but Steve is the big meat BBQ guy, not me. So I was a little worried, but I really wanted to attempt this on my own. "I can do this!", I told myself over and over as I was basting those bad boys every 15 minutes! Hoping againt a repeat of my first BBQ disaster years back (aka burning...no charring, $50.00 worth of filet mignon), I set out to prove myself worth of the title "BBQ Diva" that was, of course, self given! To my suprise, they turned out awsome! I mean slap your mama good!!!! Samantha ate 4 herself and cleaned her bones better than I did. Steve was so proud. The next day, Sami asked me "mama, can we have ribs again for dinner?" Ahhh sweet success! Ladies, try this for your man !! I'm tell'in you, he will be forever yours!!

Serves 2 hungry peeps or 4 regular

1 rack of pork ribs
1/3 cup salt
1/3 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup pepper
Favorite BBq sauce
Basting juice - recipe follows
Hickory wood chips
Foil

Basting Juice:
In a medium size bowl combine all the ingred. and set aside.

3/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
5-6 dashes worchestire sauce
3-4 dashes tabasco
1 onion, cut into half moon slices about 1/4 in. thick
2 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
2-3 cups water

Soak the wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Then drain the water and make 2 foil packets full of wood chips. Poke holes in the foil packets to let the smoke escape. Place one on each side of your grill.

Heat your grill - indirectly, to 250. Indirectly means that you only use the outside burners. The middle not make heat.

Rinse and pat dry the ribs. Don't skip this step!!!
Sprinkle the ribs very liberally on both sides with the salt, garlic powder and pepper.

Place the ribs in the middle of the grill once you see the smoke starting to perfume out the sides of the grill.

Every 15 minutes for the next 2-3 hours, baste the ribs with the basting juice to keep them moist. Dont skip this step either. When the ribs start to pull away from the bone, they are ready. To check, lift up one side and pull it towards the other. If the ribs pull apart, they are done. It maight take longer than 3 hours depending on your grill.

Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwhich

As I poked around in my refridgerator this morning to find something savory to make for breakfast, I came across the left over Brie cheese in the cheese drawer. I just love brie. I love the way it melts...gooey and oozey! Viola !!! I'll make a grilled cheese! But this is breakfast so of course this sandwhich will require bacon. Don't limit this creation to breakfast. This sandwhich would be great along side a soup or salad for lunch !!

Serves 4

16 slices of center cut bacon cut into inch long pieces
6 tbls unsalted butter, at room temp
8 slices sourdough bread
8-12 oz brie cheese
2 green tomatoes, cut into 1/4 in. slices
salt and pepper

Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook until nice and crispy. Drain onto a paper towel and break into the pieces. Heat a cast iron griddle or cast iron pan on med high heat. Spread the butter on one side on the bread and place butter side down in the pan. Begin building the sandwhich. First, but down a layer of brie, then the tomatos ( 2 slices per sami) and next the bacon. Top with more brie cheese. Put the bread top on the sandwhich, butter side up. Grill until the cheese is melty and the bread is nice and golden.

Mexican Bruschetta

I have to admit that I have a love for crunchy bread with toppings. Let's not forget how many times I recreated breakfast brushetta! I just think that you can't go wrong when bread is the major ingredient. I think that Sam, The Cooking Guy, shares this sentiment! Why not take something that is traditionally italian and turn it into a mexican version. It's almost like my two favorite loves in cooking, crusty bread and anything mexican, coming together to birth a fantastic new version of a classic. This is a great stater to any mexican meal you prepare and fancy enough to entertain with ! Thanks for this reciepe Sam!!!

Ingred:
1 long sourdough Baguette
1 1/2 lbs. tomatoes, seeded and diced really small
2 tbls EVOO
1 bunch cilantro, chopped finely
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
3/4 cup monteray jack cheese, shredded


Heat the broiler and slice the baguettes down the middle, toast ever so slightly under the broiler. In a bowl, mix together all the ingred. together. Cover cut side of bread with the mixture. Place under the broiler again and toast until all the cheese is bubbly and brown. About 2 minutes. Remove and slice into serving pieces. Approx 16-20 pieces.

Thai - Philly Cheese Dip

Now I know I have said this before, but seriously, this is so stinkin easy. It's a great no cook (yep, I said it) appetizer that is a little sweet and a little spicy and a whole lot of deliciousness !

Ingred. (yep, there's only 3)

1 lg. tub of Cream Cheese
1 bottle of Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
1 package of brown rice crakers, or any cracker that is thin and crunchy !

To assemble:
Take a bread knife and run it around the outside of the cheese, until it is loose. Turn it upside down on a plate and drizzle the chili sauce on top until it is all covered and a little pool has formed on the plate. Place the crackers on a seperate plate.

Don't knock it if your not going to try it!! The whole plate was gone at Thanksgiving this year !!

Farmers Market Turkish Gyros

One of the many joys that Steve and I share is visiting our local farmers market early on Saturday morning. Upon walking up we can already smell the Turkish Gyro Stand. It is intoxicating to say the least! We make our way to his booth by following the wafts of aroma! They lead us right to him. What an explosion of flavor our mouths. A dance of sorts moves around as you taste the pickled red onions, the sweet heat & the curry! Ahhh, we are at last, happy. After many visits to the market, I finally felt confident to make one myslef at home. WOW ! Was I ever suprised. Mine tasted just like one at the farmers market. I literally danced in my seat as I ate mine all up. I looked over at Steve and he is just as happy! If you crave a new flavor.....try this. I promise it won't dissapoint you !

Serves 4

2 lbs. Chicken Tenders
Indian Curry Powder
Shredded Romain lettuce
3 Roma Tomatoes, Diced
Banana Peppers, to taste
Sriracha Chili Sauce - Asian aisle of market
Tzatziki Sauce - recipe follows
Pickled Red Onions - recipe follows
Naan Bread - In the bakery at market
Salt & Pepper
Evoo

Tzatziki Sauce:

1 med. cucumber peeled, seeded & finely chopped
1 cup greek yogurt
1 tbls EVOO
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. minced garlic
Mix all the ingred. together and let get happy for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

Pickled Red Onions
1 Lg. red onion, finely sliced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tbls honey
2 tbls EVOO
salt & pepper
Combine all the ingred. together and let get happy for at least 1 hour at room temp.

Sprinkle each chicken tender on both sides with the curry. Be liberal. Season with Salt & Pepper. Drizzle the EVOO on the chicken and grill on med high heat for approx. 4 minutes per side. Take the Naan bread and drizzle with a little EVOO and grill it until toasted on one side.

To arrange the Gyro, place the Naan on a plate and smear on someTzatziki sauce. Then add the shredded lettuce, chicken pieces (3-4 per sandwich). Add the red onions, tomatoes, Sriachi sauce (to taste) & banana peppers. Wrap up like a taco and dive in.

Jalapeno Corn Dip

This is a great dip to serve as a little something to snack on. I love the spicy flavor that the jalapeno adds. This was a big hit when I made it for Samantha's birthday !

Ingred:
1 small bag petite white corn - frozen
1 block of cream cheese
1 cup of parm. cheese
1 sm. can of diced jalapeno peppers

Directions:
Defrost the corn and the cream cheese come to room temperature. Drain the peppers. Mix all the ingred. together and place in a pie dish. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden. Serve with tortilla chips or fritos !

Grilled Mexican Chicken Sandwiches

My mom made this recipe for a girls luncheon that she had and it was love at first bite. This is honestly Steve's most requested recipe. Super simple and equally delish! Serves 4

Ingred.
1 and 1/2 tbls Olive Oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
4 bonesless skinless chicken breasts
1 and 1/2 cups shredded mexican cheese
1/3 cup mayo
4 slices sour dough bread
1/2 cup chunky salsa (optional)

In a small bowl, combine oil, chili powder, and pepper. Spread evenly over both sides of chicken. Grill or broil chicken for 5 minutes per side or until cooked through.
Meanwhile, combine 1 cup of the cheese and mayo, mix well. Place bread around grill or broiler rack and toast slightly on one side. Turn bread over and spread evenly with cheese mixture. Return to grill or broiler, cheese side up and cook 2 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.
Place chicken on toasted breaed and top with salsa. Sprinkle withremaining cheese