Homefries...and God Bless America!

What a long weekend we've had. To me, 4th of July has always been such a special significance of our country's freedom, unlike other some other countries in the world. We have the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom of economic... I won't delve into that one, with our economy spiraling even more, downward.

Our forefathers paved the way for us, when they embarked on a New World, to flee from England, to be free from religious persecutions. They took the long voyage on the Mayflower ship, and landed on Plymouth Rock, in 1620...and settled there. Not too many survived the harsh winters, the diseases, and according to history, the constant attack by Indians?! is still a debate, history is not always correct.
Ironically, a year before that, African slaves were brought to Jamestown, which was the first English Colony of the New World. Not only were the Africans enslaved, but the Indians, by the thousands, as well!

Not until 1776, did we as Americans, gain our Independence from the English colonies! The rest is history, and we are finding out more and more...probably a lot more that was "hidden" from us. But at any rate, we all came here as immigrants...our forefathers, our fathers, and many more over the last 235 years.
Although a lot of people claim their ancestors came here on the Mayflower...they have yet to prove otherwise, because not too many of the very first generation have survived.

Fast forward. Are we like a "dysfunctional family" in this "free" land of ours?...I would have to say yes!
We may be a large number of dysfunctional people, not just in our very own homes, but in this land of ours that we should all appreciate, and work together to make it a better place...after all, we owe it to each other. We are all at fault for what has become in our nation, and not to point fingers at "individuals" who caused chaos in the government, our health care system, stop blaming our president...when he is the last person on the "totem pole" to be making decisions on what needs to be done...and yes, do blame your false politicians, and the Congress, and do have your voice heard! Get out there, and vote when you must! Every vote counts!
Our soldiers have fought too long and hard for our "freedom"...it's time to bring them home, and thank them for protecting us, and our freedom. We have to be there for each other, when things go from bad to worse, but mostly, every day in life. Never forget where you came from, never forget who you are, never forget that no matter how tough times may be, but knowing that things WILL get better.
This is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...and we should stand up for this country, love, and honor it, and  love one another...so God Bless America!
Amen to that!

I had ample time to be thinking about this 4th of July, I only spent part of the day and part of the evening alone, my son and family came back early afternoon from South Beach, and Joe stopped by the house to check to see if I'm all right. (what a wonderful son)...he said they were ordering Chinese, so if I want to come over, please do. After the delicious Chinese early dinner, again, I just hung out with the doggies at my daughter's house, and by 8:45 PM I decided to walk to the Intracoastal just about a block away to see if I can catch some fireworks coming from downtown further north. No sooner than the fireworks finished, it started to pour rain, by the "buckets." Got so soaked to the bone, my cell phone battery totally died....good thing it's insured...my camera would not take good pictures, but at least I got to see the fireworks...yeayy
Happy Birthday, America!
Lora called this morning and saide she saw my post in Italy...(about woe is me..LOL) spending alone time on 4th of July. Was not so bad...really! A lot of time to gather my thoughts.
Hope you all had a wonderful 4th!

Now for the promised Homefries recipe...step-by-step photo directions.

I used about 4 small red skinned potatoes per person...8 in total for 2 servings.
Cut unpeeled potatoes in quarters and place in a bowl of cold water.
You can use any type of potatoes, you can also peel them if you like.

Chop a medium onion, and set aside.


Pre-boil potatoes for about ten minutes...(al dente)

Start sauteing your onions first in vegetable oil, about 3 Tbsp for a few minutes before adding the potatoes. Saute on medium high, add potatoes when onion strarts to get transclucent. Add the drained potatoes, and add salt, pepper, (I added a little garlic, paprika, as well) you can add spice of your choice.

Let the potatoes and onion cook on medium high stirring frequently until they get nice and brown, but not burned. If potatoes are still not fork tender, and crispy, add about 1/4 cup of plain water, and watch how it cooks down, gets into the potatoes, and makes it nice and rosy. Just don't add any more oil, otherwise it will get greasy, and soggy!

It is so incredibly delicious served with french toast, or egss, as a sided dish to meats, or by itself.

Very easy to make, in less than 30 minutes. I really enjoyed this, and so will you!

If you've never tried this exquisite barbecue sauce, you must try it...it's not cheap, $6.99 for this med. size jar, but oh, soooo good!

On Sunday, the day before the 4th, I made barbecued chicken quarters in the oven, and on 4th of July, I still enjoyed it. with a side of baked beans...(no Lizzy, it's not your slow cooked baked beans ...next time!
This was a large can of Van Camp's original baked beans...buy one-get one  FREE, a super great deal, and it was so good with deli cole slaw, and potato salad...a swim in the pool, getting drenched walking back from fireworks...dead cell phone, due to rain, but all worth it!

Baked Barbecue Country Pork Ribs... and a giveaway!

This may not be a "baking blog" but I assure you, for sure it's a "food blog", which actually, in the beginning, less than a year ago, started out to be a blog about mostly thrifting, and some food. We all have to eat, but where, and how we eat, and mostly what we eat...who we eat with, seemed more of a challenge than finding a bargain at our favorite thrift shops. I like to make my rounds every week, to cook at my friends' once a week, or at my daughter's or my son's, so basically, I only cook for myself about twice a week, realistically. It still is a late winter for some of you, but for us right now, is our spring. A barbecue "indoors" is so much easier, when it's for 2 people, than barbecuing outside and dealing with all the cleanup mess. I found these lovely country ribs at my local market, and I knew what I would want to make as a side dish with it to share with my friend. A side of "doctored up" baked beans, mashed potato, and sauteed sauer kraut. Yumm! As a matter of fact, everything was doctored up...even homemade barbecue sauce for the ribs...and let me tell you. You can have "finger licking good" barbecue sauce that you made, instead of the ones in a bottle, which is ready made. Slather it on for the last 25 minutes, and you have the best barbecue ribs, "this side of south Florida"...not Texas!

Before I get to the recipe, I want to share an amazing thriller book with you, with a giveaway, hosted by my friend Patty, @Books, thoughts, and a few adventures...
She mentioned to me about this amazing book, and the author, and it immediately caught my attention, because he is another cat lover, as I, and Patty...besides writing this amazing thriller. I do read other books, besides cookbooks. Incidentally, I will introduce to you another thriller book next time, that my son Joe wrote, self published through Amazon, recently, but first, I would like to introduce to you, James Le Pore, and his first and most thrilling novel called, A World I Never Made

About James LePore

James LePore is an attorney who has practiced law for more than two decades. He is also an accomplished photographer (his work can be seen at www.nakedeyeimages.com). He lives in South Salem, New York with his wife, artist, Karen Chandler.
A World I Never Made, his first novel, was written after extensive research into the history of Islam on the Iberian Peninsula, and travel in Europe and North Africa. Mr. LePore writes novels of suspense, driven as much by gripping stories as by strong, complex characters. His second novel Blood Of My Brother, will be released on December 25, 2010; his third, Sons and Princes, in May, 2011.
Mr. LePore is a writer of short fiction as well. His stories stand alone as dramatic works, but are also meant to illuminate the central characters in his novels. Anyone Can Die, a collection of short stories written to accompany A World I Never Made, will be released in February, 2011.
Mr. LePore is currently at work on his fourth novel, the story of a Manhattan district attorney whose son is wrongly accused of murder, which The Story Plant will publish in fall, 2011.
To find out more about James visit James LePore Fiction

About A World I Never Made

Pat Nolan, an American man, is summoned to Paris to claim the body of his estranged daughter Megan, who has committed suicide. The body, however, is not Megan’s and it becomes instantly clear to Pat that Megan staged this, that she is in serious trouble, and that she is calling to him for help. This sends Pat on an odyssey with Catherine Laurence, a beautiful but tormented Paris detective, that stretches across France and into the Czech Republic and that makes him the target of both the French police and a band of international terrorists.
Juxtaposed against this story is Megan’s story. A freelance journalist, Megan is in Morocco to do research when she meets Abdel Lahani, a Saudi businessman. They begin a torrid affair, a game Megan has played often and well in her adult life. But what she discovers about Lahani puts her in the center of a different kind of game, one with rules she can barely comprehend, and one that puts the lives of many—maybe even millions—at risk
 
A World I Never Made is an atmospheric novel of suspense with brilliantly drawn characters and back-stories as compelling as the plot itself—a novel that resonates deeply and leaves its traces long after you turn the final page. 
Before I tell you anything more about the giveaway, you will have to stop by Patty's blog
@Books, throughts, and a few adventures... leave a comment for the exciting giveaway gift... and I know you will want to follow her fabulous blog!

Now on to my recipe for the Oven baked Barbecue Country Pork Ribs.

Baked Barbecue Country Pork Ribs
my own recipe

8 pieces of Country Pork Ribs, with or without bones
(I have some with, and some without bones)
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic powder
1/2 cup plain white vinegar
4 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 sliced onion
Dash of Worcestershire Sauce

In a large casserole lay out the ribs, they could be overlapping, and pour 1/4 cup of the vinegar, and fill with water. Soak for about 30 minutes and pour off all the liquid. In a large rimmed baking pan, line with aluminum foil, and place the ribs, drizzling with the oil, the additional 1/4 cup vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and add about 1/4 cup water. Slice the onions, and scatter them throughout. Cover loosely with foil, and bake in a preheated oven for 45 minutes on 375 degrees. Remove foil, and turn ribs over to bake for an additional 30 minutes, uncovered. Spoon, or brush your favorite barbecue sauce on top, and bake for another 25  minutes, or till tender. It should not take more than 1 1/2 hrs, total. You can pour out excess liquid to save, or discard, before spooning on the barbecue sauce. I made my own homemade sauce, that is quite easy, and yummy, as well. 4-6 servings. I served mashed potatoes, sauteed Hungarian style Sauer Kraut, and "doctored up" baked beans. Totally comforting dish.

Homemade Quick Barbecue Sauce

1 cup ketchup (I used Heinz)
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
Dash of hot sauce

In a small saucepan, mix all the ingredients together and heat to a boil. Spread sauce on the ribs the last 25 minutes. Do not turn ribs over. You can make additional sauce if you like...double the recipe, but this should be enough for eight pieces of ribs.

 I just had a request from a lovely lady, Mari @Mari's Cakes to post my sauer kraut recipe. Mari is a professional cake baker and decorator, (if I' wrong about this, sorry) She makes the most gorgeous cakes that you can imagine, with decorations that blow you away. She resides in the Dominican Republic, and her blog is in Spanish, and English. Do visit her blog...you will be glad you did, and follow!

Sauteed Sauer Kraut

32 oz. bag, canned, or jar sauer kraut
1 small onion chopped
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Hungarian hot, or sweet Paprika
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon whit vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Empty sauer kraut in a colander, and rinse off the brine, under running water in the sink. Squeeze the liquid, and set aside until ready to saute. First, in a medium saucepan saute onion in the oil, over medium heat until transparent. Pull
aside from the heat and add the paprika, and the 1/2 cup of water, and the teaspoon of vinegar.Add the sauer kraut, the salt and pepper, and set the heat to low. Cover, and steam for about 20-30 minutes until soft and thickened. You can add a little more water, if it starts to evaporate. Serve as a side dish with the barbecue ribs, or other meats. Goes well with pork, or ribs. Serves 4.

So, this was a fabulous decadent chocolate fudge cake that I did "not" make, which I purchased at the bakery section of my supermarket, and I have to be real honest, this cake was the most sinfully ooey, gooey thick chocolate fudge cake that I could not have made better, myself. I shared this with my BFF friend Barbara, actually, I only had a small piece, and left the rest to her, because I cannot trust myself when it comes to "chocolate"...especially chocolate cake, or ice cream!

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