Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Sweet and Sour Ribs:
June 24th, 2010
Time of the crime: 6:30 PM
All day I had been anticipating the moment I would sink my teeth in the juicy,
sweet and sour ribs I was making for dinner. Just the thought made me drool.
The stick to your fingers sauce, the fall of the bone meat, the aroma filling the
house as they bake in the oven....aaaahhh, nothing like them. Definitely, one my
family's favorite. When I make them I buy enough ribs to feed an army. Pepe can
eat a whole rack. Mayra will eat until she can't breath. Chris, don't even speak to
him while he eats them, or he will growl at you. Sandra has a bottomless stomach
for them. Raul, what can I say about Raul... his plate ends with a mountain of rib
bones. And lets not forget about Beth, She looks like she doesn't eat much, but
don't let her looks fool you....the girl beats them all. Oh, and my neighbors...
today they were knocking at the door asking for the recipe again! But, I will never
give it out. How could I ...it's MY secret recipe! Unfortunately, a mastermind was
after it!!!
Earlier in the day I had bought whole rib racks, and cut off the meatier part to
make other meals with.
A little more work, but a lot more cash in my pocket! Then I added salt and pepper
and put in a pan practically covered with water...just like this....
I covered them with aluminum foil and into the hot oven to bake!
I checked now and then, and when they were tender I took off the paper, lowered
the heat and started basting them with the sauce... over and over again....
until done.
The water evaporated and the sauce turned into a delicious glaze.
Once done I put the ribs in serving platters and was ready to call my family to the
table when I got a phone call. It was my sister Cary that wanted the recipe for
my ribs! I felt horrible ...her boss was coming to dinner next weekend and she
wanted to impress him, but I couldn't give it out! She should have known better ...
I walked back to my kitchen and noticed all the ribs were gone.
NOOOOOOOOO!!!! THEY WERE GONE!!!!!!!!!!!
I ran around the house asking everyone if they had seen them. No one knew
how ...or when they disappeared. HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED, I cried
out!!! Someone must have come into the house and STOLEN them...but
WHODONIT!!!
Hmmmmm....hmmmmmmm...This is a case for Sherlock Holmes and his helper
Mr. Watson, but I will have to settle for the Auburn police...so I dialed 911 and
reported the theft!!!
Minutes later a squad car parked in my driveway and two officers knocked at
my door. I opened the door with tears in my eyes...and said
-"Thank goodness you are here...someone stole my ribs!!!"
-"Evenin' M'am, My name is Deputy Sherriff Merlock Homes. Did you just
say someone stole your ribs? Can you breath right, should we call an ambulance??"
-I rolled my eyes..."not MY ribs ...someone stole the ribs I cooked for
dinner!!!"
-He put his hands on his big belly and made circular movements with them...and
slowly said with a southern accent ..."Well then...no wonder! BBQ ribs are a
favorite 'round these parts...mighty tempting if you is hungry."
-"They are not BBQ Deputy Homes...they are sweet and sour Sir!! My very own
recipe!" I said offended.
-"Now, now...don't get flustered. Lets go in and see what we've got. C'mon officer
Matson...let's find some clues."
"Don't worry M'am ...we will find them ribs or my name ain't Merlock Holmes!!!"
While Deputy Homes did his thing...Officer Matson did his....
They interrogated my entire family, the neighbors, and even brought hound dogs!
Nothing!!! Not a finger print....not a clue!!!
Deputy Homes left feeling defeated...Whoever took the ribs had planned it
very well...
BUT... Somewhere...someone was enjoying our dinner....
While my family and I were left sad, mad and hungry!!!
Although...looking at the bright side...I could always make
them next week....
Cute story, and oh my gosh! those ribs look divine!! I sure hope you decide to divulge your recipe some day...
Posted by: Barbara | 12/21/2010 at 03:37 PM
I found you from Long Hollow. I love your site. I’m going to poke around a little bit, but don’t worry I’ll put everything back where I found it!!
Posted by: Kate | 01/03/2011 at 10:58 PM
Hi, Kate, nice to meet you! So glad you like my blog. Go ahead and poke all you want, AND if you like, since you seem to be a neat person, and put things back, go ahead and read my main blog, "Between U.S.A. and Spain" (http://spanisheyes.typepad.com/)That's the one that started the friendship between Barbara and I. FOOD STORIES is a cook book in the process.
Do you have a blog? If you do I'd love to read it! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it!
Happy New Year to you and yours!!
Posted by: Juana | 01/04/2011 at 07:51 AM
The sauce is coming up soon!! :)
Posted by: Juana | 01/04/2011 at 07:52 AM
For some reason, now I want ribs for dinner :)
Posted by: Bella StyleBook | 01/11/2011 at 05:25 PM
Hope you like the next one coming up too! :)
Posted by: Juana | 01/12/2011 at 09:36 PM