:D
Sweet and Sour Ribs and Chicken
• 1/2 c. cider vinegar
• 1/2 c. molasses
• 1 1/4 c. maple syrup
• 1/2 c. brown mustard
• 1/2 c. yellow mustard
• 5 tbsp. tomato paste
• 4 tbsp. hot chile sambal, sriracha sauce or another Asian hot chile condiment
• 3 lb. chicken wing drumette pieces
• 3 lb. baby back ribs, cut into individual ribs -- or spare ribs, cut lengthwise on the butcher's band saw into 2-in. lengths, then cut in between the bones into riblets
• Salt and pepper
Combine the vinegar, molasses, syrup, brown mustard, yellow mustard, tomato paste and chile sauce.
Divide marinade and pour half over a bowl with the wings and half over a bowl with the ribs. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place ribs and chicken in single layers on slightly rimmed cookie sheets; do not crowd pans. Save any extra marinade for basting.
Season with salt and pepper and bake ribs and wings for 45 minutes to 1 hour, basting every 15 minutes. Season as needed with salt and pepper, and serve. (Discard any remaining marinade.)
:D
Cocktail Straws
• 1 c. grated Reggiano Parmigiano cheese
• 1 c. grated aged Cheddar cheese
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp. dried thyme
• Flour for dusting the work surface
• 1 (17.3-oz) pkg. (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten
Mix together Reggiano Parmigiano, Cheddar, salt, pepper and thyme.
Roll out one sheet of the pastry into a square about 12 or 13 inches on a side. Brush surface with the egg. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of cheese mixture onto the top half of the sheet of dough. Fold bottom up on top of the cheese and roll out again into a large rectangle. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture all over the surface and press into the dough with the rolling pin. Using a pizza cutter, cut into strips 3/4-inch wide. Twist each strip into a corkscrew shape, and refrigerate on a non-stick baking sheet.
Repeat with the other sheet.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake twists 15 minutes until golden. Cool and serve.
:D
ROASTED PEPPER, GOAT CHEESE AND MINT WRAPS
4 flour tortillas (8 inches in diameter) or favorite lavash-style bread
1/3 cup creamy goat cheese
½ cup julienne of red bell pepper or roasted red bell pepper, divided
½ cup fresh chopped mint
Salt and pepper to taste
To soften tortillas: Place tortillas on microwave-safe plate. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 45 to 60 seconds.
To assemble: Spread 1 tablespoon goat cheese on 1 softened tortilla. Sprinkle with one-fourth of red-pepper strips and mint. Add pinch of salt and pepper. Roll up tortilla gently but firmly, jelly-roll fashion. Wrap in plastic wrap. Twist ends to secure them. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling. Refrigerate the rolls for 1 hour.
To cut and serve: Using serrated knife, trim untidy ends. Discard. Cut each tortilla wrap diagonally into 5 slices. Discard plastic wrap after slicing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
:D