The Larson Family

This is my recipe for Dakota Ribs with a Brown Sugar Rub.

Combine all of the following in a large bowl:

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tsp dried basil
1 Tsp dried Thyme

Mix it all together until it’s a fine powder. Grab handfuls and rub it thoroughly over two racks of pork ribs, both front and back. Store extra rub in a dark container in a cool place.

Line a large cookie sheet with a single layer of tinfoil. Place ribs on cookie sheet. Bake ribs at 325 degrees for one hour and fifty minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool five minutes. Serve and enjoy!

This muffin was created after a long night of drinking with friends at our house. It’s quick and easy and everyone will love it.

1. Follow directions on the back on the Pancake mix box as to how many “pancakes” you’d like to make. I usually go with the largest amount.

2. Next, add water. The Pancake mix box will say how much water is needed for the amount of pancakes. I always use less water as the box would say to make fluffier “pancakes.” For example, if it says to use 3/4C. of water I would use 1/2C. of water. This will help them be more cupcake like.

3. Add desired amound of chocolate chips. I would not recommend using a whole bag…1/2 bag at the very most.

4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease pan with with cooking spray. Use a cupcake pan and fill batter halfway full in the cups. Bake until golden brown, usually about 8 minutes, depending on your oven.

5. When Chocolate Pancake Muffins are done baking, remove from pan and brush on melted butter/margarine. Sprinkle with sugar/powdered sugar if you’d like. ENJOY!

My lovely wife Rebecca set up a birthday date for me last month and not only did she pull off a surprise party with a bunch of my former co-workers, but she suggested we try a new restaurant — Stella’s in downtown Fargo. Let me tell you, it was delicious.

The ambience is authentic mixed with historic. Original brick walls and arches, soft lighting, and they weren’t too busy either. The clientele seemed to be a mixture of young and old; a good cross-section.

I ordered the Ravioli, and it was fantastic. A very light marinara sauce on a cheese ravioli — not heavy at all like some of the other Italian joints people “speak” of. Rebecca ordered a Balsamic chicken which was so good, she’s now fixated on balsamic everything. Anytime we go somewhere that has a balsamic anything on the menu, she orders it. But I don’t think anyone has measured up to Stella’s yet.

Stella’s had a nice selection of wines and Italian beers to choose from, and the price of the meal was just north of forty bucks. We highly recommend you check it out.

Stella’s is on First Avenue, right across from the Fargo Avalon. Their dress code is “casual but don’t be a slob.” — Troy