"Big Daddy" Does Ribs - On A Small Budget

Newest Food Network "Star," Aaron McCargo Jr., Acccepts "Chef On A Shoestring" Challenge

(CBS) 

RIBS WITH BIG DADDY RUB

4 pounds St. Louis-style ribs
2 cups Big Daddy Rub, recipe follows
2 cups cola
2 cups water

Big Daddy Rub:
3 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup smoked paprika
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons hot chili powder
2 tablespoons cayenne
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

In a medium-sized bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub ribs with 1 cup Big Daddy Rub until evenly coated. Allow ribs to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Place ribs in large roasting pan and cover with the cola and water.

Cover with foil and cook in oven for 2 hours.

Remove ribs from oven and allow to cool.

Slice ribs into individual pieces.

In a large bowl, toss ribs with another 1 cup of rub until well-coated.

Spread ribs out on a sheet tray and bake in the oven for an additional 20 minutes until caramelized.


SEASONED SWEET CORN

4 ears sweet corn (recommended: Jersey sweet corn)
1/2 pound salted butter, cubed and softened at room temperature
2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
Lime

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, or grill to medium high heat.

Peel back husk on corn and remove all the silk.

Lay each ear of corn on an individual piece of foil.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix butter, cilantro and crab boil seasoning until well combined. Rub each ear of corn with butter mixture and pull leaves over to cover.

Wrap corn with foil and roast for 20 minutes.

If grilling, grill until slightly softened for 10 to 15 minutes.

Squeeze lime over corn when finished.


BIG MAMA'S SWEET POTATO PIE

1 (8-inch) premade pie shell
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
2 (12-ounce) cans yams
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
Pinch kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake pie shell for 8 minutes until lightly-browned. Remove from oven.

In a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix eggs and sugar until well-combined.

Add yams, a little at a time until well-incorporated. While mixing, add the spices, extract, and salt.

Pour mixture into pre-baked pie shell.

Wrap the rim of the crust with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the center is set.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a rack before cutting and serving.


So, how did McCargo do with the $40 budget?

1ST COURSE
Elbow Macaroni .99
Mayonnaise $2.19
Relish $2.29
Onion .69
Celery $1.29
Hot Sauce .79
Worcestershire Sauce $1.69

2ND COURSE
Ribs $12.76
Cola .80
Paprika .79
Cumin .95
Chile Powder .79
Cayenne .79
Sweet Corn $1.96
Cilantro .89
Old Bay Seasoning $3.19
Lime .25

3RD COURSE
Pie Crust $1.99
Canned Yams $2.29
Allspice $2.39

FINAL COST = $39.77!

[mjmmcduffy]

Congratulations Aaron McCargo Jr. and all the best to you "Big Daddy." Ignore the critics (on-line) and continue to do your thing. I liked the way you mixed Mayo & veggies and then added to Mac for salad. Also, enjoyed "Big Daddy''s House." I do not see the recipes on-line yet! Continued success!

[kitsin]

I saw Big Daddy''s House today and Aaron was really, really good. I am going to tune in to see his show every Sunday. I cannot stand the Neelys...especially Gina. I Am glad Emeril Live is gone! He was getting so boring!

GOOD LUCK, AARON! You have a lot of fans out there!

[erlindab]

I am pulling for Aaron to succeed. He is a gem - a rough diamond, but I think he is worth the energy to get him polished. He has a great personality, and I am pulling for him. I am glad he won the challenge. He will be just fine.

[djinger]

Sorry, but I don''t consider $40.00 a "small" budget to feed a family of four. Feed a family of four on a $15.00 or less budget and then I''ll be impressed as, in the real world, that''s what families really do. I don''t expect a chef to use frozen fish sticks, mashed potatoes and a salad to be on the menu, but I see NO challenge in what he did.

[riadiva]

Most of the spices should be in your pantry, if you are any kind of a good cook. You guys are so envious, you think Food Network is gonna miss you not tuning in? I dont think so, this was the better choice. Lisa was good but not unique. There are hundreds of Lisa types all over the networks. This man has a story and a presence he cooks well and he makes you feel good. Congrats Big Daddy we love you

[cyberus-2009]

Oh and one more thing ... where in the heck did they get St Louis cut ribs for $3 a pound???????

[cyberus-2009]

Once again government math was used to make the "budget".

Items not included on the cost list:
1st course
6 eggs
2nd course
3 cups brown sugar
1/2 lb salted butter
Dessert
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar

The 2 eggs on the dessert would have busted the budget.

[princessessa]

I think Aaron is a real sweet "down-to-earth" guy. I think he will be very successful on the food network. I think his recipes look quite awesome. YOU GO BIG DADDY!!

[tomanyt]

CelticSinger...I agree 100%.

[GeorgiaSongbird]

We watched the entire season of Food Network Star, and Aaron was definitely NOT the star! We love Food Network, but this is one show we will not be watching. The other two finalists, especially Lisa, were much more talented, interesting, polished and appealing on camera. Big mistake here.....

[aztecdakota]

40 DOLLARS!! One family meal? There are 3 meals a day you know. Try that on Social Security, with grandchildren. God, you people are sooo lucky.

[tomanyt]

This guy is ssssssssooooooooooooooo boring.

[pyhouston]

I do believe you went over your budget? I did not see the price of the eggs. However, I do plan to try this recipe today!

[ritam9]

How did he get the brown sugar, cinnamon, eggs, butter, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, vanilla, foil and black pepper. Were they donated from the last chef? I have never put on a meal leaving the grocery under $40. I thought I would try it but then discovered all the necessary items were not itemized.

[ritam9]

How did he get the brown sugar, cinnamon, eggs, butter, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, vanilla, foil and black pepper. Were they donated from the last chef? I have never put on a meal leaving the grocery under $40. I thought I would try it but then discovered all the necessary items were not itemized.

[ritam9]

How did he get the brown sugar, cinnamon, eggs, butter, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, vanilla, foil and black pepper. Were they donated from the last chef? I have never put on a meal leaving the grocery under $40. I thought I would try it but then discovered all the necessary items were not itemized.

[rbatem]

You didn''t include the price of the 6 eggs in the salad. Recipes sound good and we will try them tonight!