Ribs

This Father's Day, show Dad some barbecue love with tender, meaty ribs deeply infused with spice and smoke and slathered with a sweet-tangy-hot barbecue sauce. Purists may call it cheating, but a little oven time streamlines the cooking and guarantees super-tender, moist meat, so I'm willing to take the heat. Round out Dad's menu with traditional barbecue sides like corn bread, baked beans, or coleslaw, and end up with an easy, almost-no-bake mango lime pie that makes a great dessert.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan suffered broken ribs in a fall and is recovering slowly. The announcement Tuesday was made at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, where she was expected to attend a speech by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Library executive director John Heubusch said from the stage that the former first lady was unable to attend because of her injury and was watching the event on TV at home. Her spokeswoman Joanne Drake says Reagan has been adding a few appointments to her schedule but was advised by her doctor not to attend large...

5 1/2 pounds St. Louis-style pork spare ribs (about 16 ribs) 2 cups fresh bean sprouts (mung bean) 2 pounds baby bok choy (about 10 to 12 individual bundles) 2 bunches scallions 6 cloves garlic 1 piece (1 inch) fresh ginger Salt and pepper, to taste 12 ounces (4 nests) ramen noodles (chuka soba) or 1 pound of thin fresh Chinese noodles 3 cups beef broth 1/2 cup soy sauce 4 teaspoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup red or white wine or sake 1/4 cup ketchup

Chris Oquist and Keith Freund, the guitar/vocals and drums half of local four-piece RIBS, are coming from somewhere a bit more researched than the average new band. On a recent night out over drinks in Allston, Freund thinks back on an industry conference panelist's idea of top-down bands versus bottom-up bands. "A top-down example was like Destiny's Child," says Freund. "They were picked out by a label and forced down to the masses through a huge infrastructure of radio and money.

Serves 4 2 pounds beef or pork short ribs, cut into 3-inch lengths 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 bunch scallions, cut into 3-inch lengths 4 cloves garlic,...

Serves 2 "Mechoui is the North African version, in spirit at least, of a Carolina pig pickin' -- a community feast centered around a whole lamb," writesSteven Raichlen. Cook these on a rotisserie, but they can be done just as easily using indirect heat on a charcoal or gas grill. Serve them with harissa, a North African hot sauce (see right). 1 small onion, quartered 3 cloves garlic, halved 1 piece (1 inch)

Chris Oquist and Keith Freund, the guitar/vocals and drums half of local four-piece RIBS, are coming from somewhere a bit more researched than the average new band. On a recent night out over drinks in Allston, Freund thinks back on an industry conference panelist's idea of top-down bands versus bottom-up bands. "A top-down example was like Destiny's Child," says Freund. "They were picked out by a label and forced down to the masses through a huge infrastructure of radio and money.

All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook will miss his second game in three weeks when the Philadelphia Eagles visit San Francisco tomorrow. Westbrook broke two ribs in the Eagles' 23-17 loss to Washington last Sunday, though he kept playing and finished the game. He sat out a 24-20 loss at Chicago Sept. 28 because of an ankle injury. Two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews (back) and wide receiver Reggie Brown (groin) also won't play. "Brian wants to go. He's in the mind-set that he wants to play, but it's a decision that I've got to make," coach Andy Reid said yesterday.

TUSCALOOSA - The 5-year-old had come all the way from Massachusetts in a day, his daddy not giving up the dream of a dinner of slow-smoked ribs at the original home of Dreamland Bar-B-Que, where the only side served with a slab is white bread. Shortly before closing, the boy took his first few bites of a thick, juicy rib and - without an "mmmm" of appreciation or "yeow!" of consternation - determined it was too spicy for his tender tongue. He picked up his root beer and took a long pull.

Michael Vick made no excuses for an awful performance, taking the blame for missing open receivers and throwing poor passes. Perhaps two broken ribs had something to do with it. Vick broke his two lower ribs on the second play of the Eagles' 21-17 loss to Arizona on Sunday. He didn't tell anyone that he was hurt and played through the pain. "He didn't say anything, not a word. He's a tough nut," coach Andy Reid said Monday. "He said he really just blanked it out and played is kind of what he said, and really didn't think twice about it. " ...

By Patricia Borns, Globe Correspondent So I was on the way to Coconut Grove's uber-$$$ organic farmers market , when suddenly ... ribs! On a side street off Grand Ave., a smoker trailer-hitched to a blue pickup truck had drawn a crowd, and the chef, swathed in a blue haze, was dishing chicken and pork rib "sandwiches" to happy Saturday patrons for $8 a heaping plate, including a soda. Although "Ellis Tribe" emblazons the food cart, everyone knows him as Mango Mann . His standard issue is a generous portion of meat with two pieces of white bread and a vast quantity of...

Mets third baseman David Wright will return to New York to have his rib cage examined. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Sunday said he expects Wright will receive a cortisone shot. Wright will be checked Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Wright has not played in an exhibition game this year. On Saturday, manager Terry Collins said Wright would be out for at least another week. Wright has fielded grounders this spring, but has not thrown or swung a bat. Alderson said pitcher Tim Byrdak also would go...

8 large bone-in short ribs (about 5 pounds) 3/4 cup milk 5 tablespoons butter 1 large onion 3 ribs celery 3 carrots 3 large Yukon Gold potatoes 4 parsnips 3 cloves garlic 1 small bunch fresh thyme Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/4 cup flour 1 package (1 pound) wide egg noodles 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste 2 cups red wine 2 cups beef stock 1 bay leaf

Short ribs make a hearty meal with very little effort. Brown the meat, still on the bone, and simmer it with root vegetables, red wine, and beef stock. Let your oven fill the house with warm, savory aromas that will draw everyone into the kitchen. Short ribs also work well in a slow cooker on low (add a little less liquid). Serve the short ribs over potato-parsnip mash, a lovely departure from standard mashed potatoes. Since slow cooked meat is even better after a day or two in the fridge, you can reheat the shredded meat in its sauce and serve over buttered egg noodles.

Serves 4 4  braised short ribs with sauce, meat removed from the bones and shredded   Salt and pepper, to taste  1  package (1 pound) wide egg noodles  1  tablespoon butter  1. Set the oven at 375 degrees. In a baking dish, place the short rib meat and sauce. Cover with foil and reheat in the oven for 15 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the noodles, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until tender.

Serves 4 with leftovers RIBS 1/4  cup flour   Salt and pepper, to taste   8  large bone-in short ribs (about 5 pounds)  2  tablespoons vegetable oil  1  large onion, chopped   3  ribs celery, chopped  3  carrots, chopped  3  cloves garlic, chopped  1  can (6 ounces) tomato paste  2  cups red wine  2  cups beef stock  1  bay leaf  1  small bunch fresh thyme, tied with string  1. Set the oven at 375 degrees.

Serves 4 An expert on French West Indian cooking, Francis Delage of La Route des Boucaniers in St. Barts, marinates his ribs for 24 hours, grills them over allspice wood, using the indirect method, and quickly sizzles them with a barbecue sauce directly over the fire. Soak 1 1/2 cups wood chips in water for 1 hour before grilling. 1 navel orange 1 small onion, coarsely chopped 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 2 scallions, both white and green parts, chopped ...

Michael Vick didn't practice for the second straight day Thursday because of broken ribs, and it remains uncertain whether the Pro Bowl quarterback will play when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the New York Giants on Sunday night. Vick broke his two lower ribs on the second play of the Eagles' 21-17 loss to Arizona on Sunday. He didn't tell anyone he was hurt and played through the pain. Vince Young likely would start if Vick can't go. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle)

Franklin Cape Ann 118 Main St., Gloucester 978-283-7888 franklincafe.com/franklin-cape-ann Open for dinner Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight All major credit cards accepted Ground floor is accessible to the handicapped Intimate, hip, and low-key, the Franklin Cape Ann has become an anchor of Gloucester's lively restaurant row at the west end of Main Street....

He's been a pitchman for pistachios and a contestant on "Celebrity Apprentice. " Now, ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has become the unwitting face of a discount airline's fare sale. A day after Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges, Spirit Airlines announced $14 one-way fares from Chicago to seven cities. It tells customers to buy now or risk missing a "seat-selling" sale. Blagojevich was caught on tape trying to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.