Simple Saturday: Honey Apple Ribs

This grill sauce goes great with chicken,
steaks, pork chops, and more.

This weekend, we're spending our time getting ready for our annual Memorial Day Camping Trip next weekend.  Because I hate chopping, dicing, and general prep work while camping, among other things, I'm spending the weekend making-ahead all of our camping meals.  One recipe I can't wait to dig into around the campfire are these Honey Apple Ribs, made using Tastefully Simple Honey Apple Grill Sauce.

Ingredients
1-2 Racks Pork Ribs
1 Jar Tastefully Simple Honey Apple Grill Sauce
1/2 Onion, chopped

Make-Ahead Preparation

• Place raw ribs in a 6-qt slow cooker.
• Pour 1/4 jar Honey Apple Grill Sauce into small freezer bag; set aside.
• Sprinkle on onion, and pour remaining Honey Apple Grill Sauce over all ingredients.
• Cook on low 7-8 hours.
• Let cool.  Place entire contents of slow cooker in a freezer bag.  Place rib bag plus bag of sauce into another bag and freeze.

To Serve

• Pre-heat gas or campfire grill.
• Place ribs on grill; brush frequently with remaining sauce from rib bag.  Cook until heated through.
• Use extra bag of sauce for spreading or dipping.

Here's what else we'll be enjoying at camping this weekend:

Grandma Peterson's Flank Steak Marinade

White Chicken Chili

Chipotle Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya

Need equipment?  Check out some of our favorites:

Coleman All-In-One Cooking System

Magma Nestable Non-Stick Cookware

Simple Saturday: Asparagus Rolls

These delicious asparagus rolls are a great make-ahead appetizer for parties.  Whether it's a cocktail party or a kid's birthday party, these are sure to be a hit.  Make the day before, or a month or more and freeze.

Ingredients
12 medium stalks asparagus (approx. 1 lb)
8 oz. neufchatel cheese
2 Tbsp Tastefully Simple Spinach & Herb Dip Mix
12 slices (approx. 1/3 lb) medium-sliced black forest ham

Make-Ahead Preparation

• Blanch asparagus.
• Soften cheese.  In a small bowl, combine cheese and Spinach & Herb Dip Mix
• Lay ham out flat.  Using a soft (e.g. silicone) spatula, gently spread cheese on ham, all the way to the edges.
• Place one stalk of asparagus on each slice of ham, along the long edge.  Roll ham with asparagus inside.
• Slice each piece of ham in thirds.  Tip:  If you're squishing the rolls while trying to slice, place the rolls in the freezer for an hour or so and then slice.
• Place in freezer container and store in freezer.

To Serve

• Thaw in refrigerator overnight.
• Serve cold, as a finger food or with toothpicks.

Makes 36 appetizers.

Weight Watchers Points Value: 1

Devon Thurtle Anderson, Independent Tastefully Simple Consultant
Consultant ID #0119436
http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/dthurtle-anderson

Agave Citrus Kebab Medley

This dish is a great way to keep your summer meals fun, delicious, and light; all in one.  This is a slight deviation from our usual fare, as it's not wholly a freezer meal; however, the make-ahead process works several days in advance, so you can prepare the whole meal the weekend before a camping or boat trip!

These kebabs also make a great make-ahead "hybrid" meal.  That is, you can prepare the meats several weeks ahead of time to freeze, and then hit the farmer's market the morning of your grill to get the fresh, sweet local fare that only that local produce can provide.

Apple Cranberry Pork Roast

Nothing says lean and comfort food like a pork roast.  This delicious treat is filled with seasonal fruit and veggie stuffing and pure pork-flavored goodness that will heat up those bleak fall and winter evenings like nothing else.  Although the preparation is a little unconventional, (this pork is more "sandwiched" than "stuffed,") served with seasonal steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes (and maybe a glass of a dry, rich chardonnay), this pork roast makes the perfect family meal or a simple dinner party hit.

Sweet and Sour Pork with Coconut Rice

I always thought you had to go to an Asian food restaurant to enjoy Asian food. As it turns out, it can be pretty easy to cook! It may include a few ingredients you don't normally keep in your cupboards, so a trip to the store ahead of time may be in order. However, this recipe is a great way to get your feet wet in the world of Asian cooking, and also to please the family with a great make-ahead meal!