It’s summertime in the City.

From now until Labor Day (September 1st for my international readers) it feels as if we have just entered one big, carefree summer  holiday season.

The 4th of July kicks off  the season as America pauses to celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s independence from Great Britain with fun, fireworks and food.

Summer also signals the barbeque season.  It’s the time of year we love to get our “que” on whether it’s Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City or Texas style.

Barbequing has emerged as the great American past-time and rite of passage. Its roots can be traced back to West Africa and the Caribbean where it was used as a method to prevent spoilage and insect infestation of meat and fowl.

We certainly love our barbeque.  Whether it’s prepared on a gas grill, in a smoker, or over charcoal or mesquite briquettes – we gotta have it. I’m not going to get into an intellectual debate about what’s the best method to get your “que” on. That’s for the “que enthusiasts.”

I will say that since its summertime, do your civic duty and just get it on – and do it the way you like it. Honestly, there really are no rules.  And if you’re not sure how you like  your “que”  or you’re  craving that down home barbeque flavor and want to avoid the  fuss of cleaning up and firing up a grill, I’ve got an easy Anytime Ribs Recipe that you can cook anytime, whether its summertime  or not.

These oven baked ribs are tender, juicy, flavorful and succulent. The homemade Have it your way Barbeque Sauce  is not too sweet, not too vinegary, not too tangy, not too pungent – it’s just right.  Make this your signature sauce and claim your bragging rights.

Get your “que” on and have it your way. What are you waiting for?

(Bloggers note: if you would like the recipe for the Best Baked Beans with Turkey Bacon shown above, just send an email to collardgreensandcaviar@gmail.com)

Anytime Barbeque Ribs

Ingredients

1 slab baby back ribs (2 ½ to 3 pounds)
2-3 tablespoons Red Velvet Gourmet Spice Rub and Seasoning
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Black pepper (regular ground or cracker pepper from grinder)

Directions

Heat an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place meat on a cutting board covered with wax or parchment paper. Lightly pepper rib slab on both sides. Spread Dijon mustard on bony side of slab then liberally sprinkle spice rub on top and press into surface.Turn slab over to meaty side and repeat.

Place slab on a foil lined baking sheet and loosely tent with foil.  Place baking sheet in refrigerator and let marinate for two hours, 30 minutes at a minimum.  Bake 1 ½ hours or until temperature registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  Remove baking sheet from oven when done. Remove foil.

Turn the slab over on bony side and baste with Have it your way Barbeque Sauce. Place baking sheet back in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven, turn slab over onto meaty side and baste well with sauce. Place back in oven for 5 minutes. Remove and baste once more. Place back in oven for 5 more minutes. Then remove from oven.

Cover the pan with foil and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before cutting.

Have it your way Barbeque Sauce

Ingredients

2 – 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Red Velvet Gourmet Spice Rub and Seasoning
¼ teaspoon celery seed
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
¼ teaspoon hickory smoke seasoning
½ cup liquid (your choices are: fresh orange juice, store bought orange juice, pomegranate, pineapple juice, mango juice, apple juice, water, bourbon, tequila, Grand Marnier)

Directions

In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients and stir well. Simmer covered, 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Brush ribs, chicken, fish or vegetables with sauce during last 5-10 minutes of grilling or broiling. Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for a full week.

Here’s how you customize the sauce your way

You have a ½ cup of  liquid in the recipe to play with. For the ribs in this post, I used ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (I have two orange trees in my backyard and use them in everything without apology). I shared the recipe with a friend and she used ¼ cup fresh orange juice and ¼ cup tequila.  If you use store bought juices like orange, pineapple, pomegranate or mango, use ¼ cup juice and ¼ cup water.  Apple juice does not have to be diluted. For alcohol or liqueurs use ¼ cup, plus ¼ cup of water. Play around with it, be fearless and have fun. It’s sauce your way.