Does your family like to eat?
Mine doesn’t. When we get together, we prefer the sustenance of fresh air and stimulating conversation.
Occasionally, we may split an appetizer salad, but only if there are at least 8 of us to share it.
If we’re absolutely starving, we might have a few carrot sticks and some ice water.
It’s just that eating is such a chore for us. It’s hardly any fun at all.
We prefer the tiniest of portions.
Dessert is the worst. Don’t even offer it to us.
We will flat-out refuse…
… because we are bastions of moderation and self-control.
We do, however, like to wear chicken outfits. Bok bok 🙂
But — if we are in the mood for punishing ourselves with a very bad time — we might do a little Kentucky surf & turf, where Hubba Bubba makes the ribs, and Sister’s husband fries up the shrimp and hush puppies.
It is NO FUN, I tell you.
In case you are in the mood for a no-good time, here’s how you can fix yourself a fun-free, light-as-air meal.
MIKE DUFFY’S BBQ BABY BACK RIBS
1 rack baby back ribs per two people
1/2 C homemade, no-salt dry rub (recipe below)
2 C apple juice OR beer
1 C of your favorite BBQ sauce
salt & pepper to taste
DRY RUB*
*all ingredients must be dry or dehydrated
1/4 C cumin
1/4 C cinnamon
1/4 C garlic powder
1/4 C onion powder
1/4 C oregano
1/4 C thyme
1/4 C sage
1/4 C basil
1/4 C red pepper flakes
1/4 C paprika
(Mike likes to make a big batch of this and keep it in a tupperware container. It works well for any type of meat. I say you can also buy some store-bought BBQ dry rub, if you’re into short cuts.)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Wash and pat dry the ribs. Salt and pepper to taste. Spread liberally with dry rub. Pour beer or apple juice in deep roasting pan. Place ribs meat side up in pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast for 3-5 hours. Remove from oven. Brush with BBQ sauce. Grill ribs on both sides. Serve with additional sauce on the side.
DAN DICKERSON’S FAMILY RECIPE HUSH PUPPIES
2 C cornmeal
1 T flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 C buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 onion, finely chopped
chopped jalapeno to taste
Mix dry ingredients together, then stir in buttermilk, egg, onion, and jalapeno. Prepare deep fat fryer with peanut oil. Drop dough by spoonfuls into hot oil. Deep fry until golden brown. (These are really good with honey!)
Here’s to your health,
