Marinating ribs in a popular beverage and baking them. A dish every kid loves
Those with picky-eating kids know that it's no small feat to impress them with cooking. They often complain more than they compliment. What was the dish that finally won them over? Was it popcorn? Chocolate ice cream? Heavily salted chips? None of these actually. Surprisingly, my kids have started asking for ribs. I'll share my secret and it will all make sense.
1:38 PM EST, December 4, 2023
Ribs are typically not associated with kids' menus. Common are chicken nuggets or meatballs, but ribs don't usually come to mind. Persuading the kids to try this dish for the first time wasn't easy. However, a key ingredient in my recipe eventually piqued their interest.
I must explain something—although my kids love Coca-Cola, letting them consume it until bloated is not typically allowed; it's more of an exception than a rule. But when I told them I was making lunch with Coca-Cola, they couldn't resist the intrigue. Is it manipulation or just cunning persuasion? Whatever it may be, they now delight in munching on American ribs, their excitement evident with each crunchy bite. Why not give it a try?
Recipe for Cola-Marinated Ribs
Ingredients:
- About 4lbs of ribs
- 3.2 cups of cola
- 24.5 oz of tomato sauce
- 8 oz of sugar
- 6 tablespoons of hot paprika
- 4 tablespoons of ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Method of Preparation:
- Wash, clean, and dry the ribs. Transfer them to a dish and pour in about 2/3 of the cola. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- The following day, prepare the marinade. Mix the remaining cola with the tomato sauce and spices. Stir well.
- Remove the ribs from the fridge. Rub them with approximately 3/4 of the prepared marinade. Place them in an ovenproof dish greased with fat. Bake for 2.5 hours in a preheated oven at 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, switch the oven to the grill mode and keep for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Heat the remaining marinade, reduce it, and serve it as a sauce with the cooked ribs. Enjoy!