Elina and Robyn Make...RIBS!

If you follow my blog, I'm betting that you already know how much I love to cook and bake! I love the process, but I think I love the outcome of the tasty food even more. And recently, I've discovered that cooking and baking with one of your best friends is a whole lot of fun!!!

In the last year or so, I've made quite a few delicious things with my neighbor Elina, who also happens to be one of my best friends. I love cooking with her and I think we make a pretty good team! I've blogged about a few things we've made in the past, but after some thought I decided to start a new section called "Elina and Robyn Make...".

So without saying much more, I hope you enjoy reading about what we make and take a look at the first post of this awesome new section:

Elina and Robyn Make...RIBS!!!

While we were trying to decided exactly how we wanted the ribs to taste, we looked up many different recipes. We didn't use one specific recipe, or even two, but instead we used multiple recipes as inspiration to come up with our own homemade rib rub and homemade BBQ sauce!

The Goods:

2 Racks of Baby Back Ribs

Cayenne Pepper

White Pepper

Brown Sugar

Salt

Cumin

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Smoked Paprika

Chili Powder

Ground Nutmeg

Cut each rack or ribs in half.

Measure out the spices for the rub mixture.

Try some measurements similar to  this, or research a few like we did!

And combine them well. 

Generously rub the mixture...

o!n both side of the ribs

And wrap each half rack in foil. 

Line the wrapped ribs up on a cookie/baking sheet to catch any drippings. 

Put the ribs in the oven that has been preheated to 250 Degrees.

Cook them for 2 hours to start.

While the ribs are in the oven, it's time to start on the sauce!

The Sauce Goods:

Apple Cider Vinegar

Vegetable Oil

Cumin

Honey

Brown Sugar

Chili Powder

Worcestershire Sauce

Frank's Red Hot Sauce

Ketchup

Diced Onion

Minced Garlic

Mince the garlic and dice the onion.

Combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and let simmer for 30 minutes. 

Strain the onions and garlic from the sauce...

so it looks smooth and delicious!

After the ribs have cooked for2 hours,  it's time to add the sauce!

Unwrap the ribs from the foil...

Lay them out on a foil lined cookie/baking sheet...

And brush the sauce on both sides!

Return them to the oven and cook 30 more minutes.

Add sauce to both sides ONE MORE TIME and return to the oven.

After 30 more minutes in the oven, they should be falling off the bone and ready to devour!

Yup - READY for eating!!!

And serve with something equally as delicious!

We enjoyed our ribs with homemade french fries, grilled apricot/goat cheese salad and corn bread.

YUMMMM!

Happy Birthday Alison!

Today - August 4th - just so happens to be one of my BEST FRIEND'S Birthday's! I couldn't wait to celebrate with her and snapped a few shots to document our amazingly fun night!

We started off the evening by opening presents and I'm SO happy that she loved what I got her. She immediately was asking to take pictures to send to her sister. Success!!

Elephant Necklace - SO cute!!

After presents we finished getting ready and headed to dinner at King's Fish House.

We took a few quick photos before starting our FEAST! 

The Birthday Girl!

And ME!

Crab cakes, Shrimp Cocktail, Fish and Chips, Soup, Salad, Wine, Beer and of course...

Delicious Birthday Cake!

Can't forget to make a wish!!!

I had a great time celebrating with this amazing lady and I wish her nothing but the best in the years to come!

Happy Birthday, Alison! I love you and am SO happy to have you as a friend!

LA Visitors!

I've mentioned in a few past post that my parents visited me in Los Angeles recently. What I didn't mention was that my mom and dad were just two of the visitors I had stay over that weekend! 

I got to spend some quality time with my brother after we surprised our parents one night. My parents had NO idea that he was going to be in LA too, so it was an extra special night. 

Please excuse the fake smile and deer in the headlights look...

The next night, my grandma and cousin came up to join us at the Dodger's game! 

Excited for the game!

Our seats were AMAZING - 5 rows from the field! I can't believe how close we were. It was my cousin's first MLB game, so it was another extra special night!

Let's Go Dodgers!!!

My parents, grandma, cousin and myself all enjoyed breakfast at a family owned place really close to my apartment. We went there as a group of five once before, so now it's become a tradition! 

Proof that Grandma drank Iced Coffee!

She never drinks coffee!!! 

Post Breakfast pictures with Grandma and Aly.

And one with Mom, Dad and Grandma too!

Over the long weekend, I got to spend a lot of relaxing quality time with my parents, which unfortunately is something that doesn't happen often enough. As usual - the visit was far too short, but I look forward to seeing them again soon! 

A Quick Garden Update!

My parents were in town this weekend - look for a post about that soon - so this will just be a quick update on a few things in my always changing garden. 

I was watering one day and my mom was cleaning up the plants when we noticed the awesome progress on the tomato plant! I have NEW tiny tomatoes and tons of new clusters. I'm hoping I get more tomatoes soon!!!

In other exciting news - I thought the jalapeno plant was already done producing for the year and to be honest, I'd just given up on it. I'm SO glad I hadn't thrown it away or anything because it started blooming again out of no where. And not just a few new buds either. I counted yesterday and have over 30! 

And the herbs are doing AMAZING! No more caterpillars messing with them either. I love what I have, but I just wish I had more Flat Leaf Parsley and Basil. I know that's crazy, but I'm always afraid to use too much and completely deplete my crop. Maybe I'll get more of each soon.

Lastly, I FINALLY transplanted the pine tree into a bigger planter. It's already huge and it's gonna get even bigger now! Can't wait to decorate it for Christmas in a few months!!! Anyone know of a good place to buy battery operated Christmas lights?!?

I have a few things in mind for the garden and hope to do some changes soon. Check back  soon to see all the progress and what I have planned!

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 27

Last night, I made a VERY tasty pulled pork for my parents. I always tell them about the things I'm making, so I figured it was only right to make them something delicious while they were staying with me! 

I decided to make them pulled pork. I'd never made this exact pulled pork (another post I'll blog about in the not too distant future), but I have made a different version that was cooked IN barbecue sauce before. The version I made for my parents was very moist with the right amount of spice. The spice came from a rub I made and put on to sit for almost 24 hours. I then cooked it with 2 homegrown jalapenos sliced up and put in the crock pot with the sliced onions and pork loin. 

The pork loin I got was WAY too much food for just three of us, but I knew that going in and planned to use the leftovers for something else amazing!

That something else came tonight when I made a Pork and Green Chile Burrito!!! 

It sounded great and was even better than I'd expected! I will, without a doubt, be making these again! The pulled pork, the burritos, everything!!! 

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 26

I'd been CRAVING Sloppy Joe's for a few days after seeing them on TV multiple times in a matter of 24 hours. I knew I wanted to have them, but I would be enjoying a turkey version instead! I thought they'd be great for Sunday Night Dinner and almost instantly decided I'd be making them with grilled veggie skewers! Both are so easy and tasty - my mouth waters just thinking about the meal again!!! 

Oh yeah, and at the last minute I decided to make some Sweet Potato Tots too! YUM!!!

And after dinner, you just can't forget dessert! Tonight for dessert, I had cookies!!! Sounds kinda boring, right?? Well...mine were fresh baked by myself just hours before. I made two ol' favorites: Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin.

The Tomato Plant Is Back!

A few times this year I've posted about my disappointment in this year's tomato plant. I was ready to give up on it entirely, until a close friend suggested that the Topsy Turvy MAY just need more soil! Their suspicion was correct and I'm happy to report that I have new hope for this year's tomato plant! I noticed one small cluster of flowers earlier this week, and while taking pictures earlier today I counted a total of SEVEN new blossom clusters!!! I just hope they all turn into little cherry tomatoes, and more continue to grow in the next few months. I will keep you posted on the progress.

I was just going to post about the tomato plant success, but I noticed that my herbs are really thriving and my two berry pants are growing well, but sadly not producing any berries just yet!

Rosemary, Oregano, Sage and Thyme

Basil

Flat Leaf Parsley

And the mint that won't die!

Blueberry and Raspberry Plants

Lastly, I'm happy to report that I haven't seen any new caterpillars recently AND oddly enough, one of the geraniums that was infested is now THRIVING! Funny, because I was very close to getting rid of it completely! Now I'm very glad I didn't. 

Check back soon for a more complete garden update with all the goodies I currently have growing! 

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 25

Tonight's Sunday Night Dinner Post is EXTRA SPECIAL because we have a GUEST blogger! Please welcome one of my best friends, and Podcast host - Robin Rhys!!!

It's Sunday night and I'm at Robyn's for dinner. First off, this is not an unusual occurrence  and it's always a pleasure. We never seem to have the same thing twice and tonight is filled with yet more surprises! 

Alright, so here's tonight's menu: 

We started with some bomb chips and guacamole - ALL FRESH! I actually brought the avocados and they were so green and prefect for the guac if I do say so.  

After that came the main course and it was oh, so good!  

We had chicken and shrimp soft tacos, Spanish rice and refried black beans.

And oh yeah, I can't forget the oven roasted freakin' corn. Best corn I've ever had!!! 

I'm so full and rolling over on myself, but as usual - it was all AMAZING! 

Thanks to Robyn for being the most fabulous host as always. 

Summer Weekend Fun!

I didn't have a 4th of July party, but I did have a couple friends over yesterday for some Summer Weekend Fun, which wouldn't be complete without delicious food and even some pool time!!!

Because I'm a foodie, I of course got pictures of all the food, but ONLY the food. No swimming, no racing in the pool and no walk to get yummy frozen yogurt. Oh - and no sleepover shenanigans either! :) 

ALL the goodies!

Half of the goodies:

Dijon Deviled Eggs
Figs with Honey Goat Cheese and Crackers
Caprese with Homegrown Basil

And the other half:

Grilled Baby Artichoke with Lemon Aioli

Pesto French Fries with Ketchup and Ranch Dressing

I can't wait for more Summer days filled with fun like this!!!

Happy 4th from Los Angeles!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness!"

This year, I got a little crafty before the holiday and put together/made these fun little holiday touches I added to my apartment. 

Sunflowers just SCREAM Summer and 4th of July to me!

I've always loved arranging flowers, but this may have sparked a new fun hobby - wreath making!!!

So easy and so festive!!!

I'm planning to head to a girlfriend's place soon for some Independence Day fun. Whatever you plan to to, I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday, filled with fun, food, family and friends!!!