RECIPES: Delightful Dinners

Amazing Whisky Grilled Baby Back Ribs

2 (2-lbs.) slabs baby back pork ribs

1 tbsp ground red chile pepper

2 1/4 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 cup minced onion

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup tomato paste

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 1/2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

1 1/4 tsp liquid smoke flavoring

2 tsp whiskey

2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp dark molasses

1/2 tbsp ground red chile pepper

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Cut each full rack of ribs in half to make 4 half racks. Sprinkle salt and pepper (more pepper than salt), and 1 tablespoon chile pepper over meat. Wrap each half rack in aluminum foil. Bake for 2 1/2 hours.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir the onions in oil for 5 minutes. Stir in water, tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, liquid smoke, whiskey, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dark molasses, and 1/2 tablespoon ground chile pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 1 1/4 hours, uncovered, or until sauce thickens. Remove from heat, and set sauce aside.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.

Remove the ribs from the oven, and let stand 10 minutes. Remove the racks from the foil, and place on the grill. Grill the ribs for 3-4 minutes on each side. Brush sauce on the ribs while they're grilling, just before serving them (adding it too early will burn it).

-- Scott David Hibbard

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Sauce

1 (6 oz.) container plain Greek-style yogurt

1/2 cucumber (peeled, seeded, and grated)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tsp white vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

1 pinch salt

6 wooden skewers

Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, 2 cloves minced garlic, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large resealable bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Mix yogurt, cucumber, 1 tablespoon olive oil, vinegar, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1 pinch salt together in a bowl. Refrigerate tzatziki sauce for flavors to blend, 1-2 hours.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Soak wooden skewers in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes.

Remove chicken from marinade and thread onto the soaked skewers. Discard unused marinade.

Cook the skewers on the preheated grill, turning frequently until nicely browned on all sides and chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes per side. Serve with tzatziki sauce.

-- Tanya Petkos Schroeder

London Broil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup soy sauce

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp ketchup

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 (2-lbs.) flank steak or round steak

In a small bowl, mix together garlic, soy sauce, oil, ketchup, oregano, and black pepper. Pierce meat with a fork on both sides. Place meat and marinade in a large resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight.

Preheat grill for medium-high heat.

Lightly oil the grill grate. Place steak on the grill, and discard marinade. Cook for 5-8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Do not overcook, as it is better on the rare side.

Tip: Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

-- Char Finamore

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers

1 (16 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces

1/2 onion, cut into wedges

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 egg

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp Thai chili sauce or hot sauce

1/2 cup bread crumbs

If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.

In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.

In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.

Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

-- Lauren Mu

Key West Chicken

3 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp lime juice

1 tsp chopped garlic

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

In a shallow container, blend soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, and garlic. Place chicken breast halves into the mixture, and turn to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.

Lightly oil the grill grate. Discard marinade, and grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear.

-- Tina B

Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps

6 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese

12 slices bacon

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Spread cream cheese to fill jalapeno halves. Wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Place on the grill, and cook until bacon is crispy.

--Miss G.