What Katie Ate Next's BBQ Ginger Ale Ribs

When I loaned the book What Katie Did Next (from food blogger and photographer What Katie Ate) I had already flicked through it to see if it was worth borrowing in the first place. I definitely had my eye on this recipe for Barbecue Ginger Ale Ribs. It didn't call for a million ingredients and was simple enough to follow. Plus you didn't need a smoker or a billion hours to make it.

 

Yay or Nay: Yay

I must admit that this didn't have the same finished as promised in the book - shiny and sticky. I followed the recipe to a T and made sure I basted every 15 minutes and yet no stickiness! It wasn't a complete fail as it did taste amazing and fell off the bone so it wasn't the method...the only thing I can think of is the ginger ale. The recipe needs 'good quality' ginger ale and I couldn't find any so used store brand which may have been to my detriment!

Jamie Oliver's Baked Beans

Summer is officially here! The sun is out and everyone is thinking about BBQ-ing/ grilling/ cooking out/ having a braai! The best thing about whacking things on the grill is that you don't have to spend hours slaving over a stove and you can ask the other half to do it for you!! Thinking of a side dish is probably the trickiest thing for me, I usually want something healthy to counteract the unknown meat in hot dogs! In the States, it's all about adding crisps/chips and corn, and baked beans! However, baked beans here are NOT like Heinz Baked Beans of my youth! I knew I had to make my own, and where else could I look but Jamie Oliver! I got the recipe for Baked Beans from his Comfort Food cookbook but I found a similar one online. 

Yay or Nay: Yay

I warn you, this is not a quick throw-everything-in-a-pan kind of dish. It is low and slow, at least at the beginning, and actually at the end too! But it is worth it - I think one bird-'s eye chili was enough as you could definitely taste the heat. Also make sure to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes as I didn't and I definitely felt the tomato pang!

Chowhound's Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Who doesn't love a mouthful of BBQ? I know I do so replicating this at home should be a breeze. I was first introduced to BBQ when I first came to Rochester and ate at Sticky Lips. The tangy sauce and the super tender meat all piled on top of a oh-so-right bun won me over that night. Fueling my love of BBQ was Man vs. Food which featured a lot and I mean A LOT of BBQ joints. Just thinking of it makes me salivate! Traveling around the US I have had my fair share of BBQ and Tennessee has some of the best! 

I must confess this isn't my first time making this so I know it is already a yay, but if you're looking for a decent and properly easy recipe for pulled pork this is it!

Yay or Nay: Yay

As above, it makes for some good pulled pork. I didn't have any brown sugar to hand so I used regular granulated sugar and it didn't change the flavour that much. I used it for two meals, tacos and sandwiches (burgers) the day after!