Good Friday Food

I live in a city that closes down for Good Friday.  I'm thankful, as most people give reverence to the amazing gift given to use by Jesus Christ on this day;  that in itself is a gift.  It's great to be home ... to sit quietly and reflect ... to have time as a family.  Of course, here in Southern Ontario, Good Friday and rain just kind of go together ... it is gray and wet and perfect day for just being home.  So I planned a couple of our favourites for dinner - a couple yummy treats to remind me of home (Kansas City) ... and thought I'd share.

EASY BBQ RIBS - Kansas City Style!

Ingredients:

• One package of pork side ribs
• 3 Tbsp sweet paprika
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp table salt
• 1 Tbsp pepper
• 3 cups bbq sauce (we LOVE Smoke House ... my parents bring a truckload when they visit)
• Pam cooking spray

Mix together paprika, sugar, cayenne, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Rub down the ribs generously with this mixture.

 

Arrange ribs in the slow cooker, meat side toward the edges.  Pour sauce all over ribs and cook on low for 8 hours.

 

When ribs are finished cooking, turn on broiler and position oven rack about 10 inches or so from the element.  Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

Carefully place ribs meat side down on the baking tray and tent with foil.

Let the liquid in the crockpot settle for about 5 minutes.  Strain off the fat.  Pour into a saucepan and simmer until the liquid is reduced to 2 cups (about 15-20 minutes).  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Brush ribs with this sauce and broil them until they start to brown.  It only takes a couple minutes, so stay close by.  Flip ribs and repeat brushing and broiling until the ribs are browned and sticky.

Transfer ribs to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting to serve.

We typically serve ribs with simple oven fries ... mmmmm!

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I did have a couple helpers in the kitchen this morning ... Dot and Zoe, our two Jacks.

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The next item on the menu is a favourite from my childhood.  Back in the 1970's when my parents were first married, my mom worked for the popular department store Montgomery Ward.   During her time there she became friends with one of the ladies that worked in the cafeteria ... you know, one of those old cafeterias that sold a la carte items?  Well, my mom got this recipe from her.  It was one of their best sellers!  We call it Spiced Jello and anywhere I've taken it, people rave.  It has a different mix of ingredients, but really, you have to try it.

Spiced Jello

Ingredients:

• A large can of pears, liquid drained and 2 cups reserved (you could use home canned too, like I did ... mmmmmm!!!!)

• 2 pkg strawberry jello
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• Cool Whip

Place pears in a medium sized glass dish.  Dissolve the jello in 2 cups of boiling water.  Whisk in cinnamon. 

Add in reserved pear juice and whisk a few more times to combine.  Pour over pears and stir to incorporate.

Refrigerate until set and serve topped with a dollop of Cool Whip.

I think Morgan loves it just as much as I do!!