labor day recipes

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When my mom or sister visit, I love to try new recipes. They are pretty honest with me and I know that they will be a good audience. We tried four new ones. I had about five meals worth of food that I wanted to make, but they were only in town for two dinners... I'll save them for next time.

grilled country style ribs (we had with corn on the cob and macaroni salad)
*My sister told me in July that she was really into ribs, I think it's from her job at applebees. I really like ribs too, but it's not one of hubby's favorite. I recently found ribs off the bones for cheaper than on the bone and have bought them a few times. Hubby doesn't even know they are ribs! This is my favorite recipe so far.

1/2 c water, 1/2 c soy sauce, 2 T lemon juice, 2 T oil, 1 T brown sugar, 1 t garlic powder, ribs
In a bowl, mix water, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, garlic. Marinate ribs 8 hr or overnight. grill.

Ice cream (served for dessert with the rib meal) Found here at Heather Baily's blog
*I wanted to make peach ice cream, but I was about two weeks late for the peaches at our local orchard. next year. We all kind of decided this was a little like eating butter.... Next time I will try it with a little less cream and more milk.

4 c heavy cream, 1 1/2 c sugar, 2 T vanilla, 2 c milk or half n half, pinch of salt
mix together. Add to ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions.

spaetzle dumplings (we had them with little cheddars and fresh green beans)
As you can see from the picture, these were messy to make. They were pretty tasty though and I will be making them again for sure. I think a larger pot is called for next time.

2 c flour, 4 eggs, 1/3 c milk, 2 t salt, 1 T butter
bring a large pan of water to boil. Mix other ingredients together. Dough will be thin and sticky. Pour dough through a (greased) colander right into the boiling water using a wooden spoon to help. Cook for 2 minutes or until dumplings are tenders and float. remove with a slotted spoon. Top with butter.





cream cheese biscuits (we had for breakfast, but they would have made a better appetizer)
*I forgot that I bought the chive cream cheese to use and made them with regular cream cheese. They certainly were missing something. We just added a little smear of the chive cream cheese to the tops and they were tasty.

4 oz cream cheese (chive and onion or regular), 1/2 c sour cream, 1 T finely chopped onion, 1 t lemon juice, 1/2 t dill weed, 1 tube refrigerator biscuits

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients (except biscuits) together. Open tube of biscuits. Divide each one in half horizontally. Put each side in a greased mini muffin tin. Top with a spoon of the mix. Bake 375 for 14 ish minutes.