Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Today I decided that the ribs I picked up the other day needed to be eaten. The problem is that I cannot cook these up in 10 minutes and chow down...they require a lot of time to be properly delicious. I would have used a grill, but my knowledge of proper grilling is somewhat stunted since it is usually 100 degrees outside when I want to grill. So I decided to break out my 2 slow cookers from their couple month long siesta.

Ingredients:
2 half-rack's of Baby Back Ribs
Jack Daniel's Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
Spice Rub*

Spice Rub:
Turmeric
Sea Salt
Ancho Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Hot Smoked Spanish Paprika
Chili Powder
Ground Black Pepper
Italian Herbs Mix
Brown Sugar

I began by setting up my two slow cookers and getting the ribs out. I peeled the membrane off, which was almost non-existent, and proceeded to mix the rub together. I did not list an amount of each ingredient for the Spice Mix due to everyone having their own particular tastes. So go with what you think will like best! Personally, I went heavy on the Garlic Powder, Paprika, and Turmeric but that's just me.

I rubbed the spice mix all over the ribs quite thoroughly. Try not to miss a spot for maximum flavoring later on!

I placed the half racks of ribs 1 per slow cooker and placed them meat side down. I have read that this is not the way to do it, but bear with me.

After about 3 hours in the slow cooker, I checked on how they were doing.

I flipped the ribs to bone side down. I chose to go half and half with how they are cooked. I guess an attempt to even out the cooking, oh well.

About 2.5 hours after the Great Flipping of the Ribs, I went to check on them and noticed they appeared to be done. So I used a pair of tongs and plucked them out of the slow cookers and on to a clean plate.

I grabbed my Jack Daniel's Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce and proceeded to pour and brush it all over the half rack of ribs one side at a time.

Once slathered up in delicious BBQ Sauce, I proceeded to use a large non-serrated knife to cut the ribs into single rib pieces to eat easier.

Finally, placing them on a plate to serve. Enjoy.

Dark Beer'd Mushrooms

Today I cooked up some Mushrooms using a dark beer today. I had a bottle of Stone Brewing's Smoked Porter and I felt it should be used today. So in my Zesty day of cooking, I decided to use it with Mushrooms.







Ingredients:
1 lb White Button Mushrooms
1 bottle Stone Brewing's Smoked Porter
Lemon Juice
Italian Herb Mix
Ground Black Pepper
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder

I began by pouring myself a glass of this delicious brew. If I'm going to cook with it, I might as well drink some as well! After taking a pint glass' worth out of the bottle, the rest went into a large saucepan.

I turned the heat to medium and added a single squirt of the Lemon Juice bottle. Then went in the dusting of Ground Black Pepper, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder. Two large pinches of the Italian Herb Mix went in next. I swirled the pan to make sure everything mixed properly.

Then in went the Mushrooms once the mixture started to steam. They went in gill side down. You will notice that the beer will foam up almost over the Mushrooms, but do not worry as it is nothing bad. If you cover it, you might wind up with a problem though.

I then flipped the mushrooms after about 2 minutes.

Once they turn spongey/squishy, they are done.
So turn off the heat and serve. Make sure to drain the juices off of the Mushrooms as well. Enjoy.

Zesty Chicken

So after mixing together the Zesty Chops, I decided I was not done making food Zesty. However, using the same marinade to make pork and chicken Zesty was not to be had. I had to Zesty it up even more!







Ingredients:
1 lb Chicken Breasts
Caesar Salad Dressing
Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
Lime Juice
White Wine
Italian Herb Mix
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Ground Black Pepper

I began by trimming the Chicken Breasts and slicing them lengthwise in half. I then turned my attention to the marinade. I used 1 cup Caesar Salad Dressing and 1 cup Honey Mustard Salad Dressing. I topped this off with a 1/2 cup of White Wine and a heavy dash of Lime Juice. Mix together.

Add in the 1/2 cup Italian Herb Mix, dustings of Garlic Powder and Onion Powder, and as much Ground Black Pepper as you want. Mix. Once mixed, add in the Chicken. Let sit for about 30 minutes.

Use a saucepan with medium heat. Once it is heated, add in the marinade and Chicken. Cover.

Make sure to stir every minute or two to make sure the Chicken cooks properly. It should be done in about 10-15 minutes, I cut them open to check out done they were. If not done, cook some more!

I took them off and served with some spicy rice I cooked up in my rice cooker. Enjoy.

Zesty Chops

I picked up a plethora of Pork Chops the other day and decided some cooking was in order. I have not Zestified anything as of late, so today I decided to Zesty it up.









Ingredients:
8 Pork Chops
Italian Caesar Dressing
Lemon Juice
White Wine
Italian Herb Mix

I began with trimming the Pork Chops because I demand lean cuts of meat! I am not a fan of the fat on pork, chicken, or beef unless it's a long cooking process where the fat will melt away.

So after trimming them, I created a Zesty marinade. I used 1 cup of Italian Caesar Dressing to start with. To this I added about a 1/4 cup of Lemon Juice. Then I noticed a delightfully non-empty bottle of White Wine nearby, which I poured about 1/2 a cup's worth into the mixing bowl I was using. I stirred all of this together.

Then I put in about a 1/3 of a cup of Italian Herb Mix in and stirred again. Then in went the Pork Chops that I used a fork to mix into the marinade mixture. I let sit for about 30 minutes while I cooked up some other foods.

I placed a large saucepan on the stovetop and proceeded to turn the heat to medium. Once I felt some heat coming off the pan, I poured in the mixture and Pork Chops. I cooked the Chops in the marinade for a more intense flavor. After about 5 minutes, I flipped them for an even cook through.

Then I took them off and served them with some spicy rice I cooked up in my rice cooker. Enjoy.

Broccolini!

I have never heard of Broccolini until I came to Texas, where I was informed within the past year or so of it's existence. Obviously this meant I would have to cook it.








Ingredients:
Broccolini
Sun Dried Tomato Herb Butter
White Wine
Ground Black Pepper
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Italian Herb Mix

Sauce Mix:
2 tsp Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
2 tsp Italian Caesar Salad Dressing
1 tsp Lemon Juice

I began by putting about a 1/3 of a stick of the Sun Dried Tomato Herb Butter into a large saucepan with the heat on medium. Once the butter mostly melted, I added in about a 1/2 cup of White Wine.

I put in about a 1/4 cup of the Italian Herb Mix and a light dusting of the Ground Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder. On top of all this, I put in the Broccolini. I stirred things around to make sure everything was coated with the marinade present in the saucepan. I then covered it and let it cook for about 5 minutes, whereas the liquid mixture was almost gone.

I took out the Broccolini and created a simple sauce/dressing for them as well, which was simple stirred together. Enjoy.