Bet This Isn’t What You Were Expecting

It’s Fat Tuesday! For the secular world this is just another excuse to eat, drink and be merry. The Lord never intended for us to be somber and proper every moment. Life is meant to be enjoyed, in moderation.

The Devil did not invent the things we find pleasing. That came from God. What the Devil does is whisper “Have another drink. You feel good now, imagine how great you’ll feel when that bottle is empty and together we climb inside.” He tells you that pleasures of the flesh are not to be denied but rather to be shared with everyone. The more the merrier, right? The Devil twists things that were meant to be good, to be enjoyed with love and respect and turns them into something all together different. Some say this is why we must never eat, drink and be merry. It’s the gateway to Hell. I once had a conversation with a priest about this very subject. He said pleasure is a gift from God for a purpose. Moderation is the key when it comes to food and drink. As for the other pleasures of the flesh, these are meant to strengthen a relationship between two people through a very personal, intimate connection. Often we confuse true intimacy with the act of sex itself. It’s this confusion that is a gateway to sins of the flesh. You can grunt and groan with anyone. Ture intimacy is holding hands, laying your head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat. It is the peace you feel wrapped together in the quiet of a new dawn. It is a contentment unlike any other that is impossible to explain.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of yet another Lenten Season, another opportunity for reflection, penance and prayer. Through Lenten observations we can remove ourselves from the world around us, to take stock and make choices. The more I walk with the Lord, the more I understand. I share my faith not because I think I am special, but because He is special. Blessed be the Lord, our God. Blessed be His Holy Name.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the emotions that fill my soul with such joy, I want to shout it from the mountaintops! Today is Fat Tuesday. It’s a time of celebration and great food. Now I know in the past we have had some amazing flavors of New Oreleans with Jambalayas and Gumbos and King’s Cakes galore. This year I thought why not sample Baton Rouge? Yeah, my guys said this was the best Rib Supper ever. The ribs themselves took a little work. As for the beans and cornbread, those are from commercial kitchens. If you can’t find Famous Dave’s Cornbread or Saucy Spoon’s Baked Beans, give Amazon a try. While our markets here carry these brands, I checked and you can get them delivered.

Baton Rouge Baby Back Ribs
3 lbs Baby Back Ribs
Water for boiling
2 tablespoons Liquid Smoke
1 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Molasses
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Pinch Black Pepper
Pinch Garlic Powder
Tad Cajun Spice Blend
2 tablespoons Sugar
2 tablespoons Onion Flakes
1 bottle Spicy Barbecue Sauce

Remove silver membrane from the underside of the ribs. Cut ribs into serving sizes, about 2 or 3 ribs per cut. Place ribs in a large pan, fill with enough water to boil the ribs. Season water with a little liquid smoke. Bring ribs to a boil, cook for 20 minutes.

While the ribs are boiling, whisk together Ketchup, Molasses, Cider Vinegar, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cajun Spice, Sugar and Onion Flakes. Set aside.

Note: Not sure what a pinch or a tad might be? They make spoons for that!

Remove ribs from the boiling pan, lay out on paper towels to absorb most of the water. Place ribs in a zip-lock bag. Pour sauce over the ribs, rub in well. Let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 325-degrees. Spray a broiler pan with cooking spray. Arrange ribs on the prepared pan. Place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. Turn over, continue to bake another 10 minutes. Slather on some barbecue sauce, increase heat to 400-degrees and continue to cook another 10 minutes for the barbecue sauce to caramelize.

Remove ribs from the oven. Serve with more barbecue sauce for dipping if desired.

Famous Dave’s Cornbread Muffins
1/3 cup Milk
1/3 cup Water
1 Egg
1-1/2 tablespoons Orange Blossom Honey
1 pouch Famous Dave’s Cornbread Mix

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Insert paper liners into the muffin tins, set aside.

Place milk, water eggs and honey in a mixing bowl. Add cornbread mix. Blend using a fork until just moistened. DO NOT over-mix the batter. With a cupcake scoop, fill each muffin tin three-quarters full. Bake in the heated oven until light golden brown.

6 Jumbo Muffins – 18 to 20 minutes
12 Regular Muffins – 17 to 19 minutes

Jalapeño Bourbon Baked Beans
1 (28 oz) can Saucy Spoon Jalapeño Bourbon Baked Beans
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar

Empty can of beans into a saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar to thicken the sauce. Warm over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.

Transfer to a warm bowl for serving.

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Serve this amazing supper, give thanks for all you have and remember to always treate one another with kindness.

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When I say, “My foot is slipping,”
your mercy, O LORD, sustains me;
When cares abound within me,
Your comfort gladdens my soul.