Two Posts in 1 week!

Am I on a roll or what?!!  Two blogs this week!  The Cow Boss brought the pairs home today.  They come good, and it's only about 8 or so miles, but they leave about 5 in the morning, and the crew is pretty hungry by the time they get back to the house around 11.  Normally I would be horseback, but I had a house full of kids today, so I cooked lunch instead and thought I would share with you.  =)

We started with some BBQ'd pork ribs.  I like to cook them low and slow on the grill, and try not to turn them too much.  I BBQ'd 2 racks of ribs for about an hour, seasoned with Garlic Salt.  While they were grilling, I made the sauce:

1/4 c. chopped onions (I used Vidalia)
1 clove garlic, minced (I cheated here and keep some already minced garlic in the fridge, we like garlic, so I used 1 tbsp.).
2 tbsp. cooking oil
3/4 c. Ketchup
1/3 c. Cider Vinegar
1 tsp. grated Lemon peel
1 tbsp. Lemon juice
2 tsp. Sugar  (I used more because I like sugar).
1 tsp. Dry Mustard
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Hot Pepper Sauce (more or more if you like it spicy)!
~First you cook the onion and garlic in oil until tender.  Then add everything else, tasting along the way adding more or less depending on your preference.  Simmer about 30 minutes.
~I baste the ribs on both sides with the sauce for the last 10-15 minutes of grilling, then coat generously before serving.

The Cow Boss is from Idaho, and no meal is complete with out potatoes of some sort!  I found this recipe in the Taste of Home magazine in 2009, and it is one of our favorites.  It satisfies the Cow Boss's need for potato salad, and my taste for something a little different.

4 c. cubed Red Potatoes (Definitely don't use Russets or Baking potatoes, the texture of these Red Potatoes makes the salad)!
1 c. Chopped Onion (I used Vidalia, just like the taste of them).
7 Strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled (or more, who doesn't like bacon?)!!
2 tbsp. Parsley
1 1/3 c. Mayonnaise
3 tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese
3 tbsp. Ranch Dressing
4 tsp. Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Minced Garlic
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
~Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or tender.
~In a large bowl, combine potatoes, onion, bacon, and parsley.  In a small bowl combine the remaining ingredients. 
~Pour over potato mixture and toss to coat.
~Refrigerate 1 hour or until chilled.

Who doesn't like Jello?  I personally love this Pretzel Salad, but don't make it often because I didn't think the Cow Boss liked it.  Every time I make it, I end up with tons of leftovers that I eat by myself.  Let's face it, if it tastes that good, it probably isn't very good for you!  At least not for me...goes straight to my hips!  Turns out the Cow Boss really likes it (long story learning that!), so I made it for him.

My mom found this recipe years ago and it goes something like this:

2 c. Crushed Pretzels
3/4 c. Melted Margarine (Margarine is nasty, I use Butter)!
3 tbsp. Sugar
~Combine all 3 ingredients and press into a 9"x13" pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Cool.

8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened  (I use Neufatchel, pretty much the same, just a little better for you, funny huh?).
3/4 c. Sugar
1 tub Cool Whip (or similar, I go with the small tub).
~Combine all 3 ingredients and spread over crust.  Chill

1-6 oz package of Strawberry Jello (I use Raspberry, because I like Raspberries).
2 c. Boiling Water
32 oz (roughly) Frozen Strawberries (Once again I have to be different, and generally go with Raspberries.  That is until the other day when I came across a triple berry blend (blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries).  Talk about heaven)!
~Dissolve Jello in boiling water.  Stir in frozen fruit until thawed and separated.  Chill until almost set.  Pour over cream cheese layer and chill.

Last but not least....CAKE!  Burnt Sugar Cake to be exact, my great grandma's recipe.  The recipe is kind of hard to follow, but once you get it figured out, it is well worth it!

~Burn 1/2 c. sugar; add 1/2 c. water-boil to syrup, let cool.

~1 1/2 c. Sugar                                         3 c. Flour (sifted 7 times)
3/4 c. Butter                                              1 tsp. Soda
2 Egg Yolks                                              1 c. Cold Water 

~Add 1/2 the flour and water to the creamed sugar, butter, and egg yolks; beat real well and add balance of flour, 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 beaten egg whites last.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes in layer cake pans.

~Burnt Sugar Frosting
1 1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Milk
1/2 c. Butter
~ Cook in pan used to burn sugar for cake.  Cook to soft ball stage; cool to warm stage; stir to spreading consistency.  Frost Burnt Sugar Cake!

Enjoy!  I hope you have a great weekend.  The Cow Boss and I are headed to Eureka tomorrow to rope in the Coed Branding Contest...Wish us luck, we will need it!  =D