Ribs in the Oven

4-5 pounds spare ribs or baby back ribs
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
1 cup Dry Spice Rub
1 cup Barbecue Sauce

Dry Spice Rub (use ¼ batch)

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup paprika
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
1/4 cup granulated onion
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup cumin
1/8 cup ancho or chipotle
1/4 cup mustard powder
1/8 cup cayenne pepper

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set the cooling rack on top. Lay the ribs on top of the rack in a single layer. This arrangement allows for heat circulations on all sides of the ribs.

Mix the mustard and the liquid smoke, if using, and brush the ribs on both sides. Sprinkle the ribs with the dry rub and pat gently to make sure the rub adheres to the rib meat. Note: This step can be done the day ahead for a deeper flavor. Wrap the seasoned ribs in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Heat the broiler and place an oven rack a few inches below the heating element. Make sure the meaty side of the ribs is facing up. Broil the ribs for about 5 minutes, until the sugar in the dry rub is bubbling and the ribs are evenly browned.

Set the oven to 300°F. Move the ribs to an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Roast for 2½–3 hours for spare ribs or 1½–2 hours for baby back ribs. Halfway through cooking, cover the ribs with aluminum foil to protect them from drying out.

About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce, re-cover with foil, and finish cooking. The ribs are done when a knife slides easily into the thickest part of the rib meat. Let them rest, covered, for about ten minutes, and then cut between the bones to separate the individual ribs. Serve.

Source.

Chicken Stroganoff

Making a note of this because it was a big hit (even with the forgotten paprika).  I served it with brown rice instead of noodles, which was also lauded.  Original here.

Ingredients
Kosher salt
12 ounces wide egg noodles (or rice)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, chopped
4 ounces white or cremini mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups)
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika, plus more for topping
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup fat-free low-sodium chicken or mushroom broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup sour cream, plus more for topping
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley


Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook as the label directs, then drain.

Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until slightly soft, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, until they begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the chicken, flour, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring, until the chicken browns, about 3 minutes.

Add the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a gentle simmer; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and season with salt and pepper. Continue simmering gently until the chicken is cooked through, about 2 more minutes.

Divide the noodles among plates. Top with the chicken mixture, parsley, some sour cream and paprika.

Caramel Coffee Syrup

Makes 1 cup(source)

• 1 cup sugar 
• ¾ cup water, divided 
• 1 teaspoon corn syrup 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• Pinch of salt 

In a small pot, combine the sugar, ¼ cup of the water, and the corn syrup. Stir over low heat until dissolved, then turn the heat to medium high, cover the pot, and let boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the cover and stir vigorously as the caramel continues to cook. Stir over heat until mixture is a light amber color. Remove the caramel from heat. Carefully pour in the remaining ½ cup of water. Be very careful when stirring the water into the caramel as it can splatter. Stir in the vanilla and a small pinch of salt.

Note: I'd recommend keeping this over low heat for a bit after you add the last ingredients. The added water can cause a bit of crystallization that you'll want to redissolve, and this will give the alcohol in the vanilla a chance to cook off (it wasn't noticeable in coffee, but might be in other applications).