Labor Day Picnic

Barbecued Ribs
Serves: 10-12
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7 1/2 to 9 lbs pork spareribs, cut into 2 - 3 rib pieces
3/4 c water, divided
Barbecue Sauce

Arrange one-third of ribs at a time in single layer in 12 x 8 inch baking dish or 3 qt casserole, overlapping slightly as needed. Add 1/4 c water; cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave at High 5 minutes. Reduce power to 50%. Microwave, covered, 15 to 20 minutes, turning ribs over once. Drain. Repeat twice with remaining ribs. Place on grill over hot charcoal. Cook until fork tender, basting with barbecue sauce.

Corn on the Cob
Serves: 10-12
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10 to 12 ears corn in husk

Arrange 4 unhusked ears of corn on oven floor with space between. No preparation is needed. Microwave 10 to 17 min. turn over and rearrange every 4 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Husk corn after standing. Using paper napkin, hold corn with tip pointing down. Pull back leaves carefully to avoid steam. Grasp silk in other hand and pull sharply.


Easy Baked Beans
Serves: 6
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4 slices bacon
1/2 c chopped onion
2-16 oz. cans pork and beans
2 T packed brown sugar
2 T ketchup
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T prepared mustard

Place bacon in a 1 1/2 qt. Casserole. Cover with paper toweling. Micro-cook till crisp, 3 1/2 to 4 min. Remove bacon, drain. Reserve about 3 T drippings in casserole. Crumble bacon and set aside.

Micro-cook chopped onion in reserved drippings till tender, 2 min. Stir in pork and beans, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and prepared mustard. Cook, uncovered, till bubbly, about 10 min. Stir twice. Top with bacon.

Cole Slaw
Serves: 6-8
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Combine the following:

1/3 c Hellman's Mayonnaise
1 T vinegar
2 t sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t celery seed
3 c cabbage, shredded


Frozen Cucumber Pickles
Serves 6-8
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4 c cucumbers, sliced or diced
2 c onions
4 t salt
1 c sugar
1/2 c vinegar
1 t dill seed

Cut up cucumbers and onions in plastic bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Add cold water to cover. Let sit 2 hours, stirring 2 or 3 times. Drain off water. Do not rinse. Return to bowl and add sugar, vinegar and dill seed. Let set 30 or 40 minutes. Pack in jars. Seal tight and freeze. Makes 2 pints.

Apple Cake
Serves: 10-12
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1 1/2 c flour
1 1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 1/2 t ground cinnamon
1 t baking soda
1/4 t ground nutmeg
1/4 t ground cloves
2 c peeled, finely shredded apple
3/4 c vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/4 c finely chopped nuts
Honey Frosting

Place all ingredients except Honey Frosting in large bowl. Blend at low speed, scraping bowl constantly. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter between two 8 x 8 in. baking dishes.

Place one dish at a time on inverted saucer in oven. Microwave at 50% 6 minutes. Increase power to High. Microwave 1 to 4 minutes. Or until top springs back when touched lightly. Let stand directly on counter 5 to 10 minutes. Cool and frost.

Honey Frosting
Serves: 10-12
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1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c margarine
1/2 c honey
4 c powdered sugar
2 t vanilla
1 to 2 T milk

In medium bowl combine brown sugar, butter and honey, Microwave at High 2 to 3 minutes, or until boiling, stirring after half the time. Boil 30 seconds longer. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Add milk, 1 T at a time, beating until smooth and of spreading consistency. Cool before serving.