Grandma Nothnagel's Spare Ribs with Baked Smashed Potatoes

Have you missed me?  Wow, I have sure missed you--and blogging.  I have been dealing with some technical issues with my computer as in Safari (the Internet) just shuts off when it pleases, my computer is too full to download any music and or pictures and my pictures wouldn't load onto Blogger.  Uggghhhh.  I'm not a techy person by any means so this has been a huge headache for me.  

Therefore, Mr. Schwartz and I made a little trip to the Apple store.  We picked out a new computer for me (YAY!!) and an external hard drive for pictures and music.  I'm puuuumped!  Things should be arriving shortly.  But, I had to post a few recipes before then so I struggled through and was able to get these pictures onto our computer.  

I think my Grandma had a little something to do with it since I'm posting one of her best recipes: Pork Spare Ribs.   These things are out of this world.  My mom always made them in the oven but I decided to give them a shot in the crock pot.  Overall they came out perfectly, moist and tender.  But, there was too much liquid.  So I would forgo the amount of water as in the recipe later on.  

I better get to it before my computer starts acting like a jerk again.  

Musical Selection: 1901 by Phoenix.  I am obsessed with them lately.  Grandma would probably not enjoy them. But, you never know. 

 Ok first, my Auntie Lois gave me this wonderful cook book comprised of my Grandmas recipes for my bridal shower.  I cried when I read it.  It is sweet, funny and very useful.  There are tons of pictures of my Grandma, her girls and my Grandpa Jack that I unfortunately never met.  I'm told that he had a mean shot and didn't take any shit.  (Sorry for the language, I know your reading, Mom, but you know it's true.)  And, since I mentioned my Mom....

 Here is a FANTASTIC picture of her with her sisters.  Can you guess which lovely lady she is?  Oh yeah, she is that goon with the wild hair going nuts by Lake Superior.  What a wack-a-do!  I'm told this was the firs time they took a trip off of their farm.  Apparently she was pumped...I don't blame her and I guess I understand where I get it from.

 Here are a few other recipes--they must have been favorites considering the stains on them....

 Yep, thats my Grandma and Grandpa.  They were B.A.

 Oh and before I get to the recipe I used--incase you were looking for a recipe for cough medicine...here it is.  Please note that kids should only have a teaspoon every 15 minutes.  Don't worry it's from Dr. Alden.  Maybe my mom had a cough on their trip to Duluth?  Just kidding Mom.

Okay, here is the recipe. As you can see it was one of my Grandpa's favorites.  For good reason, they are fantastic.

Typically my Mom makes these bone-in but I prefer the boneless variety.  More meat, more meat! 

 Start with the sauce.  Ketchup...

 Oh and clean out your ketchup bottle withs some water and add that too. My Grandma would approve.

 Add some vinegar.

 Worcestershire sauce....

 Salt...

 Cayenne pepper....

 Chili powder...

 Pepper and a few red pepper flakes.

 Spray the crock pot insert with cooking spray and pour half of the sauce into the bottom.

 Cut up an onion and place it on top of the sauce.

 Add the spare ribs and top with additional sauce.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

 Meanwhile you can prepare the potatoes.  Scrub the potatoes and cook on medium in salty water until fork tender.

 Place them on a cookie sheet and use a glass to smash them like this.

 All smashed up....

 Drizzle with olive oil season with salt and pepper.  Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the skins are golden and the inside is creamy.

 Ahhh helllo Sunday Supper!

Amazing.  Enjoy kids. 

Grandma Nothnagel's Spare Ribs: 

1.5-2 lbs boneless (or bone-in) spare ribs

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

3/4 ketchup

2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 

2 tablespoons vinegar 

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

1/4 cup water 

1 medium onion 

Mix salt, pepper, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper and water.  Pour half of the mixture into a crock pot insert sprayed with cooking spray.  Chop onion in to quarters and place on top of sauce.  Place spare ribs on top of the onions and sauce.  Add remaining sauce.  Cook 6-8 hours on low.  Plate and top with additional sauce.  

Enjoy! 

Recipe by: Grandma Nothnagel 

Baked Smashed Potatoes

8-10 red skinned potatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon (or so) sea salt

1/2 teaspoon (or so) cracked black pepper

Scrub potatoes (keep skin on) and cook in salty water until fork tender.  Once tender, place on a greased cookie sheet and smash with the bottom of a glass. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Bake in a 400 degree preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the skin/edges are crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy.  

Enjoy!

Recipe by: Mrs. Schwartz