Slow cooker meal: Tasty's Baby Back Ribs!

One of the things I was most thankful for last Christmas is this: receiving a "kabuhayan showcase" worth of gifts from my dearest ones to complete my little kitchen. Yahooo!!! :) Seriously now, while I was thinking of slowly building up my cooking appliances and other paraphernalia, there I was, a completely surprised recipient not only of a cast iron skillet (supposedly the hubby's gift but I was the one who got it from the store hahaha) but also of fine silverware (thanks Tita Carmen & Tito Ven), a turbo broiler (thanks Tito Tony) and this slow-cooker (thanks Mommy & Daddy!!!) Oh, if I could only give you all a tight hug!!!! :D

For our first try, we followed Buzzfeed Tasty's recipe to the letter; for our next batch, we used the spices as dry rub

While my first attempt at using the slow-cooker was an utter, utter failure (grabe, sobra, hindi makatarungan..huhuhu!!!!), I've come to love this little kitchen helper. That is, after careful research. --> I'll reserve a post for this so you'll learn from my mistakes too :) But you're here for the ribs, aren't you? So let's get cooking!! Uhmmm...slowly! ;)

SLOW COOKER RIBS (adapted from Buzzfeed Tasty)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of bbq sauce (we love, love, love Sweet Baby Ray's)
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 4 Tbsp. of cider vinegar
• 3 tsp of oregano
• 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. of cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp. of chili powder
• 3 lbs of baby back pork ribs (got ours from SM at approximately PHP 450-500 for this size)
• Salt & pepper

Directions (adapted from Buzzfeed Tasty):

Buzzfeed Tasty's version: Combine bbq sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and chili powder in a small bowl.

Salt and pepper the ribs. Place ribs in slow cooker, and cover in sauce. Cook low and slow for eight hours or high for four hours.

Mommy Meowmeow's version:

• Defrost and clean the ribs. Pat dry with clean towel. Salt and pepper the ribs.
• Combine oregano, cayenne pepper, chili pepper and use as dry rub. I promise, there is a difference in flavor! [Be careful not to touch your face or your child at this point. Make sure to wash your hands well.]
• Combine barbecue sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce. 
• Place ribs in slow cooker and cover in sauce

• Cook high for 4 hours OR Cook high for 1 hour (to get the temp high enough and keep the meat safe from the temperature danger zone) and switch to low and cook for 6 hours. [If your slow cooker does not have a timer, you can buy one from your trusted hardware shop like the one below]

• Optional: Baste with extra sauce and broil in a pre-heated oven

• Plate and serve

Buzzfeed Tasty's version: After the ribs are done, spoon the bbq sauce in the slow cooker over the ribs before removing. Cut the ribs, serve with bbq sauce.

The result? It's really a fall-off-the-bone ribs dish. And I really love the medley of spices used in this recipe. My mom even said that it was close to Applebee's. The house was unanimous...Rice pa please!!!! :) 

Note: This dish has a little bit of heat due to the spices added so tone it down a little if you'll be serving to kids too. Enjoy and let me know how your slow cooker ribs goes! :)

Hmmm..I think the Valentine's weekend warrants some rubs for the lovin' hehehe <3