Last night we went to Summerfest in Milwaukee to see Ed Sheeran. I haven’t been to Summerfest in 30 years. It was a great concert. But we didn’t want to drive all the way back to Chicago after spending the whole day there, so we made arrangements to stay at my big brother’s house in Genoa, Wisconsin. That…was a really good idea.

We woke up to French pressed coffee and waffles. My brother and his wife are excellent hosts.

It was a perfect day surrounded by family. We enjoyed each others company and good food. After breakfast I spent a few hours swimming, did a couple cannonballs and sunbathed. Then it was time to watch my brother do some serious cooking. He’s a fabulous cook. A master in the kitchen.

I’m going to share with you his recipe for BBQ Ribs. We’re going to call these “PaPa’s BBQ Ribs,” because his beautiful grandchildren call him PaPa.

We had PaPa’s BBQ Ribs, grilled chicken teriyaki, oven baked corn on the cob and grilled potato salad. Some day soon I’ll share the grilled potato salad recipe with you.

To make PaPa’s BBQ Ribs you start with a rub, slow bake ribs for 3-4 hours, make a home made bbq sauce and grill the ribs for about 15 minutes. Let’s start with the rub.

For PaPa’s BBQ Rib Rub you will need the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup cumin
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup coffee grounds
• 1/4 cup paprika
•  1/4 cup smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup dry mustard
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon anise
• 1 teaspoon fennel

Mix all ingredients in bowl and apply to dry ribs. You can dry your ribs with a paper towel. Coat both sides of ribs. This is enough rub for at least 6 full slabs of baby back ribs. If you have leftover rub use it the next time you want a good steak.

Once you have your ribs covered with PaPa’s BBQ Rib Rub, place ribs and cookie sheet, three to a sheet and wrap the cookie sheet in tin foil. Be sure to tuck the foil around the edge of the sheet to get a nice seal. Bake the ribs at 250 degrees for 3 1/2 hours or until tender.

While the ribs are baking you can make PaPa’s BBQ Sauce.

For PaPa’s BBQ Sauce you will need the following ingredients:

• 1/4 of a red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon of garlic paste*
• fresh thyme and oregano bundle**
• 20 oz bottle of Heinz Ketchup
• 1/2 cup of mustard
• 1/2 cup golden molasses
• 1/2 cup honey

Saute onions and  jalapeno peppers in olive oil for about five minutes, until onions are translucent. Add pepper, salt, garlic paste, fresh thyme and oregano bundle and continue cooking for about two minutes. Add all other ingredients and bring to boil, stirring often. Once you have a boil reduce heat and cook for 40 minutes.

*Garlic paste is made by mashing fresh garlic and salt together. Start by dicing garlic then work the salt into the diced garlic with your knife.

**To make a fresh thyme and oregano bundle just take fresh herbs and tie them in a bundle with cooking string.

Now its time to stop and make yourself and anyone with you a drink. What will it be, decisions, decisions.

Once your ribs are nice and tender, remove from oven. Add any juice from the bottom on the cookie sheet to PaPa’s BBQ Sauce, mix. Place ribs on a hot charcoal grill and cover with PaPa’s BBQ Sauce. Turn every five minutes or so reapplying  PaPa’s BBQ Sauce each time. Grill for about fifteen minute and you are done.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.