BBQ Ribs

 Today I made the BEST BBQ ribs using the InstaPot!  This is a recipe I will be making again and again, it was so delicious.  Fareway had a sale a couple weeks ago on what they called “extra meaty” ribs.  I only got a half a rack which was around 1.5 pounds.  I froze them right away and then got them out a couple days before cooking.  Yesterday I opened the package up, cut the rack in half (about 4 ribs each) and sprinkled my Kingsford - no salt - all purpose season all over them.  Today I cooked them.  Here is what I did:

In the IP, I stood the ribs up (coil to fit).  Add 1/2 cup water and locked the lid.  Then cooked them on high for 20 minutes, then let them steam release for 20 minutes, then turn the valve to venting position and release any remaining steam.

Then I took the ribs out of the IP and put them on a foil-lined baking sheet.  I spread BBQ sauce on both sides.  (I use Cookies BBQ sauce as it is our favorite.). Final step - broil the ribs till charred in spots, about 5 minutes.  Brush with more sauce, continue broiling until bubbling, 3 more minutes. They are ready to eat.  Be prepared to be blow away…

Credit for basic recipe: The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Summer 2023 (had multiple methods of cooking and sauce options.)

Meatballs in BBQ Sauce

Almost every Fourth of July we have a party in our yard.  Family and friends get together.  We eat, visit and then sit back and watch the fireworks display in downtown Cedar Rapids.  Because of the flood of 2008, the fireworks were moved out to Kirkwood Community College so we weren't able to have our annual party.  But, this year things returned to normal.  (I say that but there are many residents who are still not back to normal.  There are still many signs of the flood of '08 in many parts of the city.)  Anyways, the party was on.
Since we had not had our annual party since 2007 it seemed fitting that I should go back to some of the popular recipes that I had used throughout the years.  

The menu included three hot dips that were served in crock pots.  They were:  Hot Crab Dip, Meatballs in BBQ Sauce and Mexican Beef Dip.  They were served with a variety of chips and crackers.  Of course we had "sweets" too!  The Magic Cookies that I posted July 10th and the Salted Nut Squares that I will be posting in the next few weeks.  The Meatballs in BBQ Sauce was completely gone so I have determined it as the most popular item.  So, of the three hot dips, that is the one I'm posting first.  The fact that it is the easiest makes it even better.

Meatballs in BBQ Sauce

Need:
100-125 frozen Italian meatballs
2-3 bottles of Cookies BBQ sauce (26 oz each)

Put 2 bottles of the BBQ sauce in the crock-pot and set temp on low setting.  Bake meatballs according to package directions for 20 minutes.  (Just enough to start heating them up.  Do not bake the entire time directed on the package.)  Put the heated meatballs into the crock-pot with the BBQ sauce and mix well.  Add more sauce if needed.  Cook in crock-pot for 3-4 hours stirring every hour or so.  Serve with toothpicks.

Comments:
Meatballs - I get these from Sam's Club.  The bags of Italian meatballs have around 150 meatballs in them which is too many for my crock-pot, so I save some back for future meals.
BBQ sauce - I switched to Cookies BBQ exclusively a few years back because there is no high fructose corn syrup in it.  I really try to watch for that on the food I buy and avoid it as much as I can.  Plus we really like it!!!

Suggestion - use a crock-pot liner to make clean-up a breeze!