August 17, 2020
Cola-Braised Pork Ribs
Pg. 103
Addison, Season 4 (Winner!)
28 down…71 to go!
I know this adds to list of reasons I’m weird but…I’ve never been a huge fan of ribs. I just don’t understand the hype. I feel like they are more of a mess than they’re worth. In addition, I’m not the worlds biggest fan of Barbecue. Again, I think it’s over-hyped and never really wows me. Maybe that has something to do with BBQ sauce. I tolerate it on things, but it’s not something I want on my food, if given the choice. Okay, rant over…because these ribs CHANGED THE GAME.
The recipe just called for “Cola,” and I have heard of Dr. Pepper slow cooker ribs, but I decided to go with Coke. Actually…I only keep Coke Zero around so that’s what we went with. The ribs sat in my brand new pressure cooker, that my sweetheart got me for my birthday about a month ago, bathing in Coke zero and vegetable stock (with some onion, celery, and carrot “bathbombs” if you will) for 40 minutes. When they were done, the meat was incredibly flavorful and falling off the bone.
While they were cooking, I attempted the cola barbecue sauce…it didn’t go so well. I wish I could tell you what went wrong, but I really didn’t understand the problem LOL. Once the ribs were ready and the sauce was not, I subbed in my homemade BBQ sauce, adapted from the Pioneer Woman’s recipe. Luckily, I had it on hand from a previous, Non-MasterChef Junior recipe I was toying around with recently. And I know I said I wasn’t a big fan of BBQ sauce before, but this is the first one I really liked, so thanks Ree Drummond! Paired together…these were some of the best ribs I’ve ever had. (And the 3 other people eating them said the same thing!)
To go with the ribs, I made a Cauliflower “Potato” Salad I discovered a few weeks ago. Keto people/cauliflower lovers: I’ll put the recipe in the comments! I also threw together a side from the last MJC recipe I did–sautéed apples and carrots. Overall, the meal was a 10/10. I can’t wait to find more recipes to use in my pressure cooker, because so far it’s 1 and 0, and I have a feeling it will have a long winning streak!
What did I do differently?
- Used my own sauce
- Garnished with fresh cilantro. Everything needs fresh herbs on top, in my opinion.
All my love,
Dani, a big tid
P.S. Best ribs of your life? Tell me who made them/where/when in the comments!
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BBQ Sauce Recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/homemade-bbq-sauce-recipe-2107702
Cauliflower “potato” salad
Cauliflower “potato” salad (for two, so you might need to double the recipe)
Half a head of cauliflower, cut into one inch florets, toss in oil + salt + pepper + thyme + crushed red pepper flakes, and roast in oven for 20 minutes at 450 degrees (flipping half way through)
2 eggs, hard boiled, peeled, and coarsely chopped.
1/4 oz finely chopped dill fronds
1oz Mayo
3 tsp Dijon mustard
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1/2 shallot thinly sliced and pickled in one tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for as long as it takes for the cauliflower to roast and the eggs to boil)
Combine all ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh dill.
“bathing in Coke zero and vegetable stock (with some onion, celery, and carrot “bathbombs” if you will) for 40 minutes” I laughed at calling the veggies in the stock “bathbombs”…perfect analogy
I just got a pressure cooker a couple months ago. I am still learning but can’t wait to see what else you cook.
Haha I’m glad that analogy didn’t get fall of deaf ears, because I too thought it was pretty hilarious! I can send you some of these recipes if you want. I am falling in love my pressure cooker!
YOU did!!! These ribs were CRAZY good!!
You outdid yourself…delicious!!
Thank you! I think y’all would have loved it!