Something Out of Nothing

Day 118.

Today's the last day of my grocery cycle. It's the bare bones day. It's the day when we're often eating weird food combinations that would normally go untouched. It's the wipe-out-the-fridge day. It's the "Mom, there's nothing to eat," day.

Except it's not.

I came up with an amazing meal that I wouldn't have ever considered. It's has its quirks, because we've run out of many ingredients. You can avoid my quirks and still make this dish wonderfully, but I'm writing these recipes exactly as I created them.

Tomorrow, Picky Eater gets two crowns and Bayberry gets braces. Prayers, good thoughts, and input are all very much welcome.

Oh, and what do you think of my photographs? Major improvement since I began this blog, no? I've started playing with Picnik. I love it!

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs in Red Wine-Garlic-Tomato Sauce

What You Need:

• a rack of ribs
• mayonnaise
• sea salt to taste
• 1 1/2 cups red wine
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 15 oz can Rotel tomatoes and green chilis
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• cooked pasta
• fresh parsley, chopped

How it's Done:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Spread ribs with mayonnaise. Sear in a hot pan on both sides. Move to slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt.
3. Deglaze skillet with1/2 cup red wine. Add onions and garlic and cook and stir 2 minutes. Add remaining wine and all tomatoes. Pour this sauce over the ribs.
4. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours.
5. Remove ribs from slow cooker and remove meat from bones. Return meat to the slow cooker and let it sit in the sauce until your pasta is cooked and ready to serve.
6. Plate meat sauce over pasta and top with chopped parsley.

On the side, I served this lovely fruit crisp, because I had ONE apple and ONE cup of frozen raspberries.

Individual FAT-FREE Apple-Raspberry Crisps
makes 2 servings

What You Need:

• 1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 cup frozen (or fresh) raspberries
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup

How it's Done:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two small baking dishes with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Divide apple and raspberries between dishes. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
3. Combine cinnamon, oats, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Divide over the top of the two dishes.
4. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve hot.

For more slow cooker meal ideas, visist Dining with Debbie.