Grandma's Pork Spare Ribs

Not my grandma's but my friend's. I made these for Go yesterday for V-day and he fell in love with me all over again.

Grandma's Spareribs
Serves 6-8
Super Easy

4 lb. country style pork spareribs
Garlic salt
1/2 c. vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard
4 tsp celery salt (I used only about 1 1/2 tsp (because it was all I had) and still won a standing ovation)
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 c. ketchup
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp pepper
1/3 c. water

Cut ribs into serving pieces. Sprinkle generously with garlic salt. Combine all remaining ingredients and pour over ribs. Bake at 325 for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Skim off fat and serve.

This recipe is my creation from a cranberry pie gone wrong. I think they're delicious. Please, please try them, change them, comment. I'd love to know your thoughts and improvements.

Crancakes:
2 cups white flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tps. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
8 cups cranberries
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
2 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Sauce:
1 cup full fat sour cream (low fat is sour)
1/4 cup OJ concentrate
sugar or light corn syrup (optional)

Combine in large bowl flour, salt, baking soda and powder. In a blender, puree half the cranberries and half the sugar. The sugar will draw out juices from the berries to make a very thick, bright red puree. Add 1/4 cup of the OJ concentrate, eggs, vanilla, and blend till just combined. Dump on flour mixture, do not stir. Blend remaining cranberries and remaining sugar. Add to flour, stirring just till combined. Cook on griddle in batches. Batter will be very thick, so flatten a little in the pan. Because of the super-high fruit content cakes will take longer to cook than regular pancakes. I use two pans, to speed up the whole process. While the cakes are cooking, mix together the sour cream and 1/4 cup OJ concentrate. Taste, add sugar or light corn syrup if you prefer it sweeter. (If you've never had sour cream sweet, try it, you'll love it. You can thank me later.)
Serves 4 hungry adults.

Nutritionary note: Cranberries have more antioxidants per gram than any other common fruit. Even more than wild blueberries. WARNING: These cakes are not for Go. Cranberries have a lot of fiber, these crancakes will clean you out!

Poppy Seed Chicken

1 can cream of mushroom soup
6-8 chicken breasts, cooked and quartered
2 c. sour cream
2 c. Ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 c. butter
2 tsp. poppy seeds
Cooked rice

Cook chicken and cut into bite size pieces. In a bowl, mix sour cream and soup. Add chicken pieces. Transfer to a greased 9X13 pan. Mix crackers, butter and poppy seeds. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken mixture. Cook at 325 for 20 minutes. Serve over rice.

Healthier Version:

-Replace most of the sour cream with plain non-fat yogurt( a little sour cream helps to keep the sauce from becoming too runny)
-Use only 1/4 c. butter

Grandma Betty's Spagetti

a la Ron Reynolds

A) 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon crushed parsley, 1/4-1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1/6 teaspoon cayenne pepper
B) Add above to big chopped onion, 3 cloves chopped garlic, and 3 tablespoon olive oil, 1 can tomato sauce and freshly sliced mushrooms
C) Add one big can of tomatoes (any kind)
D) Brown 1-1 1/2 pounds hamburger with salt and pepper and add a little beef buillion (2 cubes) and drain
E) Mix all in spagetti. Simmer 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours in iron skillet and stir occasionally
F) Mix in mild grated cheddar and all the rest in oven safe glass or other container (8x15 or so)
G) Bake in oven 350 until top dry but not crunchy.
(Caution: Cayenne pepper should be used sparingly. Do not go over maximum suggestion.)

Grandma Rosa's Salad

a la Ron Reynolds

A) Chop one large boiled potato and 1/4-1/2 onion
B) Chop up one or two hard boiled eggs
C) Add one can white tuna
D) Chop and add head of lettuce
E) Add mayo, salt and pepper to desired taste and consistency

Simple Pasta

a la Ron Reynolds
(Sarah didn't like this)

A) Cook up in olive oil: 1 chopped onion, 1 can chicken broth, 1/2 lemon juiced, white wine, 1 jar of artichoke hearts--chopped, and finally capers
B) Add pre-cooked chicken strips
C) Reduce and add a little basil
D) Cook up angel hair pasta and add chicken and sauce

Eight Brothers Pasta

a la Ron Reynolds

A) Finely chop 3-4 plum tomatoes and marinate in red wine vinegar.

B) Finely chop 1 jar of drained artichoke hearts (Cara Mia (?) brand recommended)

C) Fry up and reduce: olive oil, chopped onions, freshly chopped garlic, finely chopped carrots and favorite chopped non-breakfast sausage and 1 jar of Four Brothers Brand Alfredo sauce (red or white)

D) Cook 1 bag of bow-tie pasta

E) Add all together and serve up. (Do not cook A & B)