If I need our kids to donate a kidney or clean their rooms, this is the dinner that will motivate them.  They now know to set the table with two napkins, one for your lap and one for you chin.  This recipe is from Russ Signorino who won a cook-off with them.  They are amazing.  They are quite spicy, just as a warning, but that is how we like them.

1 1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 c ketchup
1/3 c red wine vinegar
1/4 c water
4 tsp dry mustard
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
5 Tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper
2 racks baby back ribs (about 5 pounds)

1. For sauce in a tupperware bowl mix brown sugar, ketcup, vinegar, water, dry mustard, 1 Tbsp garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, aparika, 2 tsp black pepper and 1/4 tsp salt.  Seal shut and refrigerate for several hours.
2. For rub, in a bowl combine, sugar, chili podwer, red pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, onion powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper.
3. Put each rack of ribs on a large sheet of aluminum foil.  Cover ribs with rub, making sure they are spread all over.
4. Seal ribs shut into an aluminum foil packet by covering top with another sheet of aluminum foil and then rolling up the sides.
5. Put ribs into the fridge for several hours, up to 24.
6. Put ribs in the aluminum foil onto a baking sheet and put in oven at 350 degrees for an hour and a half to two hours.
7. Open up foil packets and spread half of the BBQ sauce over each rack.  You can either then move the ribs to the BBQ or cool for 15 more minutes in the oven.
8. Serve with extra BBQ sauce.

 Since having these hamburgers at his brother's house, Jeremy has fallen in love with them.  And since even Allison has given them a thumbs up they are quickly becoming a staple in our house.


for 6 hamburgers

1 c. chopped sweet onion
1/2 c. crushed saltines (about 15 crackers)
1 egg
1 tsp chipotle powder
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. pepper
2 lbs. ground beef
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp. cream cheese, softened
6 hamburger buns

In large bowl, combine first 8 ingredients.  Mix it together with your hands till it is well combined. Shape into 12 thin patties.
Combine cheddar and cream cheese.  Spoon onto the center
of 6 patties.  Top with the remaining patties.
Press edges firmly to seal.
Grill burgers, covered, around 10 minutes on a side.
Serve on rolls.

This recipe is from my neighbor Mayumi. You can use the marinade for any cut of chicken but my kids love it on drum sticks. They will eat as many of these as I can give them. Don't skimp on the marinating time. 2 hours is the minimum and the chicken needs to be fully thawed. And the pepper and garlic powder measurements are for real - you won't regret it.

5 lbs chicken
1 c water
1/4 c sesame oil
1 Tbsp black pepper
1 c soy sauce
1 c oil
1/4 c garlic powder

Combine the chicken with all the marinade ingredients. Marinate at least 2 hours or over night. Broil or BBQ.