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!

Budget Bytes' German Potato Salad

I had to go to a training course for work and one of the ice-breaker questions was: what was the weirdest thing we had eaten. I won't divulge mine unless you ever meet me - but one lady said it was Dutch Slaw. Once she described it, it sounded similar to something I had seen a chef make, which was what he called German Potato Salad. 

While thinking of side dishes for the What Katie Ate Next's Ribs, I suggested German Potato Salad and I got a very quick YES! I found a recipe for this on Budget Bytes' website, which I have used before for Dragon Noodles and was a great success, so I'm hoping this will be one too.

Yay or Nay: YAY!

This was delicious! I was dubious about adding the bacon fat to the final salad but I think it made it more bacon-y! I mean who doesn't love bacon?! This was tangy and not too heavy - I did smash the potatoes as I had cut them smaller to speed up cooking so they were a little on the mushy side and harder to cut. I don't think it affects the final taste too much.

I did use balsamic and regular distilled vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar like the recipe asked, but I didn't have any and wasn't about to take a trip to the supermarket to get one thing!  The balsamic did have a stronger taste, but with a sweeter aftertaste. I'll have to try this with the apple cider to see the difference!

 
  

Guardian Weekend's Stuffed Conchiglioni

Everyone loves the weekend papers, going section by section, picking out the articles that pique your interest and then savouring every word! Moving across the pond I often yearn for a good weekend newspaper, namely The Guardian. The features are well written and researched, regulars that hook you in and fashions spreads that are attainable.

I often look at the website version of the paper and this feature for 12 of he Best Summer Salads caught my eye. The Stuffed Conchiglioni by Eleonora Galasso reminded me of stuffed shells popular here in the US and this version looked less heavy, more fresh, light and summery.

Yay or Nay: Yay

I wasn't expecting much from this when I was making it, however, I was tasting as I was cooking so had my chef's delight! This is a really amazing alternative to the stuffed shells; light and healthy. It was pretty easy to make, the hardest part was the chopping but now I'm just nit picking!