What's Cookin' in the Kitchen!

A couple of nights ago, we had a feast! We grilled BBQ Pork Ribs and made Blue Cheese Cole Slaw. Both were Barefoot Contessa recipes - and OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

I recommend you give them a try!

BBQ Ribs Recipe:
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 small red onion, diced (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
4 racks country ribs (8 to 10 pounds)


Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, and saute the onions and garlic for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the chili powder, ground cumin and red pepper flakes and continue cooking for 1 minute. Add the zest and ginger and cook for an additional minute. Add the vinegar, tomato paste, honey, mustard, soy sauce and orange juice and simmer uncovered on low heat for 15 minutes, until thick.

Marinate the ribs in 2/3 of the barbecue sauce for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Prepare a grill with a single layer of hot coals and then add a few more coals 5 minutes before cooking, which will keep the fire going longer. Place the ribs on the grill and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, turning once or twice to cook evenly on both sides. Brush with the marinade as needed.

Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.


** Now, getting organized ahead of time is something I am working on. So, I didn't marinate the ribs early. I just made the sauce and started basting while the ribs cooked. The flavor of the sauce is outstanding! It got thrown away after dinner, and I wished we had saved it in the fridge for bbq sandwiches!

Blue Cheese Coleslaw:
1/2 small head green cabbage
1/2 small head red cabbage
4 large carrots, scrubbed or peeled
2 cups (16 ounces) good mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) crumbled Roquefort blue cheese
1 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves


Cut the cabbages in half and then in quarters and cut out the cores. Set up the food processor with the slicing blade (according to manufacturer's instructions) and place the pieces of cabbage, one at a time, lying horizontally in the feed tube. (If they don't fit, cut them to fit lying down.) Place the feed tube pusher on top and turn on the processor. Don't push on the feed tube pusher or the slices will turn out too thick! Continue with the remaining red and green cabbage quarters. Transfer into a large bowl, discarding any very large pieces. Before you pour the dressing on the salad, save a handful of the grated vegetables to decorate for serving.

Change the slicing blade for the large shredding blade and cut the carrots so they also lie down in the feed tube. Since the carrots are hard, replace the feed tube pusher and press firmly with the food processor on. Transfer to bowl with the cabbages.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, both mustards, vinegar, celery salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Pour enough mayonnaise dressing over the grated vegetables and toss to moisten well. Add crumbled blue cheese and parsley and toss together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.

** Again, the flavors only got to meld for about 30 minutes - but the slaw was still dy-no-mite!!


While I was browsing her website, I found a recipe for Tzatziki. If you have never had Tzatziki - you are missing out! It is one of my favorite, low-calorie dips. I have tried making it several times this summer but not quite gotten it as flavorful as I have bought in a store. I love to eat it as a dip with vegetables, but it is also a crucial ingredient in gyros!