Thursday Recipe - BBQ Beef Short Ribs

This is one of those no-brainer recipes. But don't let simplicity fool you. The meat comes out tender and juicy and flavorful. It's a great dinner for a lazy summer day. They'll think you slaved over a hot BBQ pit all day to produce these. Here's the recipe. My version. The way it really happened.

BBQ Beef Short Ribs

Open the fridge to look for something to cook for dinner. Find a package of boneless beef short ribs bought on sale a while back and recently thawed. Find a couple of containers of leftover spaghetti sauce. Close fridge because the rest of the leftovers need thrown away. Stare at the packages for a minute, thinking. Dump beef ribs into small crockpot. Move to bigger crockpot because they look too crowded. Dump leftover spaghetti sauce over the top, cover and leave on high. Tell daughter to do dishes stacked in the sinks. Endure teenager glare. Do dishes yourself. Ask other kids to please vacuum the dog hair and lint balls off the carpet. End up doing it yourself. Lay down on the couch and watch a couple of shows. Remember you put beef ribs in the crockpot. Debate about whether they have enough seasonings or not. Watch another show. Wonder why the kitchen smells like spaghetti. Remember the ribs. Wander into the kitchen, decide to sweep the floor because the crumbs keep sticking to your feet. Praise the dog for helping clean up the crumbs and licking the front of the oven clean. Check the ribs. Poke them with a fork. Wonder what else to do with them since they smell too much like tomato. Scrounge through the fridge again. Remove a half-empty bottle of BBQ sauce. Dump into the crockpot. Turn it to low since dinner isn't for another three hours. Take the dog for a walk. Fall asleep on the couch when you get back. Remember the ribs and dinner an hour after you planned on eating. Sniff ribs. Lick drool off chin. Find some leftover bean salad and corn bread to serve with the BBQ ribs that are now falling apart tender. Don't call the kids to dinner until after you have savored your food in peace. Ask son to do dishes. An hour later, do the dishes because it's easier than getting him to do it. Check crockpot for leftovers. Nothing left but sauce. That's a winner.

The Recipe for those who don't want to do it my way, which is just fine and probably better anyway

1.5 lbs boneless beef short ribs
1 c. thick Italian spaghetti sauce
1 c. barbecue sauce

Put beef ribs in small crockpot, they should fill it about 2/3 full. Pour spaghetti sauce over the top. Cover and cook on high for about three hours. Add barbecue sauce. Turn heat to low. Cover and cook an additional 3-4 hours. Serve with your favorite sides.