Memorial Day Maple Ribs and Chicken!

Thanks to Nigella we have a good meal all ready for Memorial day. This is a day we honor our men and women from past and current military service to our country.

It's also the unofficial start of summer and I think it's actually an unofficial law in the United States to grill. Whether you use charcoal or gas, you need to grill on Memorial Day.

Because we have been experiencing daily late afternoon downpours of rain accompanied by thunder and lightening, we may have to grill lunch (burgers) and have the ribs cooked in the oven.



So, to cross off another of Nigella's recipes and to have ribs on Memorial Day....here is a grand way to cook them that is easy as it is tasty.


You will need the following ingredients:

12 pork ribs (we're using baby back ribs)
8 or 10 chicken thighs - skin and bone still on



1 1/2 cups apple juice
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 cinnamon stick broken in half
6 unpeeled cloves garlic




Any brand of cinnamon stick will do......



Look...I found a purple garlic.



Put the ribs and chicken in large freezer bags or a dish you can cover. I use freezer bags as it's easier to mix the marinade and super easy for cleanup.





Add all the remaining ingredients and squelch and mix together. Seal the bags.
Leave to marinate in the fridge for up to two days.



I turn the bags every few hours or when I'm in the fridge for a drink or whatever. This will allow the meat to sit in the maple marinade if you turn the bags.

Next day.........

Take the meat out of the fridge. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.



Pour the contents of the freezer bags into a roasting pan. Be sure the chicken pieces are skin side up.



Place in the preheated oven for and hour and 15 minutes by which time everything should be sticky and glossy brown.


Here is a shot of it baking........



Plate it up nicely, piling the ribs, chicken and stray garlic cloves on a platter.



Serve with a sauteed combo of cauliflower, carrots and broccoli.......



We never were able to grill as the storms were so heavy, lots of lightening and plenty of rain. But this dinner was worth the wait. It was a wonderfully sticky, fun and tasty meal enjoyed with family.

Happy Memorial Day to all who celebrate this one.