Salsa Verde Ribs for the Christians

I should really be doing the dishes that are piled in the sink, on my counter and in the dish washer. I should probably also attend to that pile of laundry that is in my bedroom and the laundry from last week that is still in the dryer. Maybe I should finally hang the pictures on the wall in the dining room instead of looking at them and just restacking them or perhaps finally paint the walls in our bedroom because the paint was mixed 2 months ago...

When you move, have two small kids, and a beach near by, the to-do list is endless! However, when a dear friend asks for a recipe so that they can enjoy a meal and remember how many times we shared it together, everything else goes on hold and that memory and recipe is shared.

First though, a tribute to our amazing friends, the Christians:

When Isaac and I were moving away from our Navy careers and found ourselves in land-locked Ohio, we knew practically no one and spent 6 months in an apartment as we learned about the area and searched for a a more permanent home. While walking our dog one day, I happened across another dog who loved the frisbee just as much as Paisley. Enter Julie. Our first "family" gathering was a couple of days later to carve pumpkins for Halloween and we would continue that tradition for the next 3 Halloweens slowly adding to our families with 3 more little sets of hands. When we found our home across town from the apartment and the Christian family, not only did they end up buying a home 4 minutes from us, they actually tried to move down the street. The Christian family is one that doesn't do anything half way. If you need them, they are there. If life is crazy, they stand in the crazy with you.  Countless meals were shared and if we were all too crazy to sit down together, food was often dropped off at each others homes. "Hey, I made a big batch of chicken salad, James is on his way over to drop it off. If your day was anything like mine yesterday, then I know you have no plans for dinner." And amazingly, we were always right. Good friends know exactly what we need when we need it and they don't ask if you need something, they just do it.

Enjoy this delicious crockpot treat :)

Salsa Verde Ribs
(Originally found in Southwest Slow Cooking with my adaptations below)

Nonstick cooking spray
1 tsp salt
3 lbs boneless country pork ribs (I often used whatever was on sale and just pulled the bones out as I shredded it when cooked)
2 (16oz) bottles of green salsa (We often just did one large jar since there was always a lot left over)
1 (heaping)Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp garlic powder

Coat a skillet with nonstick cooking spray.  Season the ribs with salt and lightly brown in the skillet, about 5-8 minutes. Combine the salsa, cumin and garlic in a medium bowl. Place the browned ribs in the slow cooker and cover with the green sauce. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours. Serve with warm tortillas (corn) and sour cream. Makes 4-5 servings.

**Guacamole is a great addition to this simple meal along with sharp cheddar cheese. I was known to put the left overs with some eggs in a burrito the next morning...if there were leftovers!