| Ken's Baby Apple Back Ribs with Wonder-Grilled Veggies INGREDIENTS 2 cups barbeque sauce (see my recipe bottom left) 2 cups applesauce 2 pounds baby back pork ribs salt and black pepper to taste cayenne pepper to taste garlic powder to taste DIRECTIONS 1. Mix the barbeque sauce and applesauce in bowl. Place ribs on a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil, and rub on all sides with the salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Pour sauce over ribs to coat. Seal ribs in the foil. Marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight. 2. Preheat grill for high heat. 3. Place ribs in foil on the grill grate, and cook 1 hour. Remove ribs from foil, and place directly on the grill grate. Continue cooking 30 minutes, basting frequently with the sauce, until ribs are done. Wonder-Grilled Summer Veggies INGREDIENTS 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed 1 red bell peppers, seeded and diced 1 yellow squash 1 zuchinni squash 1 red onion, quartered 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar salt and freshly ground black pepper DIRECTIONS 1. Don't clean off that grill!. 2. In a large bowl, combine the squash and red bell peppers. Separate the red onion quarters into pieces, and add them to the mixture. 3. Stir together thyme, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss with vegetables until they are coated. Spread evenly on the hot rill where you just took the ribs off. 4. Cook for two or thre minutes or until they start to blacken. Turn, and repeat. Take the onions off first as they cook faster. May I suggest: 2004, Santa Alicia Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Santa Alicia Vineyards in Pirque, Chile in the Maipo Valley At a local boutique, or snooty wine shop' $ 9.99, but you can often find it at many retail outlets for 6-7 dollars. I am not a fan of Chilean (say Chee-lay'-an) wines, yet, I am impressed. Some folks like a lighter wine during the summer and that's fine. But hey, we are eating ribs here, and this wine is not as big as many Cabernets. It is complex, rich and polished, exhibiting rich plum and blackberry. While very complete and elegantly styled, it still has an easy finish. |
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| No-Hassle Picnic? This is all you need to know . . . well, about a No-Hassle Picnic anyway! Chef Ken Says, "Yes, you can find your picnic essentials at all Wal-Mart stores!" First, take a deep breath. Really folks, having an enjoyable picnic is not that hard - kids or no kids. The trick is prior planning. Stash a basket or backpack filled with the basics in a hall closet or car trunk, and keep reusable gel packs in the freezer. That way you'll be ready to picnic at a moment's notice. And guys, the spontaneity will impress her! Ken's essentials: Blanket, Ground cloth or tablecloth , Cooler , Serving utensils, Bottle opener/corkscrew , Moist towelettes or hand sanitizer , Forks, spoons, knives, cups, plates, napkins , Paper towels and trash bags for clean-up . Remember, bring back what you take! Keep it clean. First aid kit: include bug spray, sunscreen, bandages . Planning the Menu : Keep things simple by limiting beverages to one or two choices (iced tea, lemonade) plus some bottled water. Now I get into trouble - bring along vodka or a mixer for adults to add to beverages. Make up one or two side salads. Go with old favorites or try salads that add a few fun flavor twists to the traditional recipe. Try a Texas Coleslaw , a Layered Salad , or Potato and Bacon Salad. Include at least one main dish salad with meat or fish. Or offer a meat dish (cold fried chicken, luncheon meats) on the side instead. Try Cold Tuna Macaroni Salad , Shrimp Couscous Salad , Barbecue Chicken Salad and always Southern Fried Chicken. Make low-fuss one-dish desserts. these offerings can satisfy any sweet tooth. Try Dessert Brownies , Mocha Bundt Cake , or Chocolate Chip Muffins Other hints: Fill in the gaps with prepared foods. Make a homemade bread to knock guests' socks off, and offer assorted ingredients so picnickers can assemble their own sandwiches. Buy specialty cheeses, a few baguettes, and fresh fruit (grapes, pears, apples) and let guests sip wine and savor a French-style picnic. _____________________________________________________________________ Yes, this is Ken's Original Recipe BBQ Sauce. It's a classic rib and chicken type tomato based sauce. For pork, the sauce is thinner (no tomatoes) and much more vinegar based. We'll get around to this later! Ken's Original Recipe BBQ Sauce 3 cans tomato sauce (#303) 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1-1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice 4 large cloves garlic - chopped fine 1tbs fresh-ground black pepper 1 tbs sea salt 1 tbs cayenne pepper 1 tbs hot red chile 1 tbs paprika 2-3 tsp Louisianna Hot Sauce 1/2 tsp ground cumin Throw everything into a double boiler over a gentle boil. DO NOT let the mixture boil though, and remember to stir it often. It takes about an hour for it to reduce, or you may want to let it go a little longer . . . if you like yours a little thicker. |
| Breakfast Anyone? Stuffed French Toast Eggs Benedict w/ Broiled Grapefruit Eggs Sardou Crustless Quiche |
| Copyright � 1999-2007 "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" Kenneth Howell, All Rights Reserved. |
| Welcome to . . . KEN'S KITCHEN ! October 2008 |
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| As some of you know, I can cook just as good as I want; as opposed to singing where I'm totally tone deaf. My training started at home and working in restaurants. But after attending The University of North Carolina (No, not dook! also known as Durham Clown College.) I took Formal Food Service classes at Johnston Community College in Smithfield, NC. By then the Cordon Bleu bug had bit. So, I took the long course in Culinary Arts at Piedmont Community College in Roxboro NC. So hey, Ken can cook! |
| "I'm a man. Men cook outside. Women make the three-bean salad. That's the way it is and always has been . . . That outdoor grilling is a manly pursuit has long been beyond question. If this wasn't firmly understood, you'd never get grown men to put on those aprons with pictures of dancing wienies and things on the front..." William Geist |
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| Each month I present a (relatively) inexpensive meal for a couple. The cell phones are turned off, the kids are at the Mall, and the Grandparents given due notice . . . get my drift? Also good for 1st dates - Guys! |
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| There's more than just cooking to consider . . . |
| "Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie." ~Jim Davis |
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