Last month I had an early flight to Park City, where I’m writing for the Park City Mountain Resort Snowmamas. My family wasn’t buying my line about how my trip was for work, so as a peace offering I put together dinner in about 10 minutes that had them forget I was gone – at least for one night.

This recipe was derived from our family’s favorite Christmas Eve dinner: Braised Spare Ribs, a special recipe shared with me from my good friend Kristen. I’ll admit, the full Christmas braised version is better, but takes a lot longer and dirties a lot more pans. This delicious crock pot version is quick and easy and sure to please, especially during the cold winter months.

I’m more artist that mathematician, so my measurements aren’t quite exact and it always turns out great.  This is a low stress meal!

Easy Braised Spare Ribs – One of my fave go-to Crock Pot Recipes

Step 1: Optional – Tastes great, but a little more time and mess

Salt and pepper each side of a chuck or round roast.  Heat olive oil in a fry pan, add several cloves garlic and stir until starting to brown, add the roast and sear on all sides.

Step 2: Place the following ingredients in your cock pot

• Chuck or round roast, no expensive cuts are needed for a slow cooker.
• Several cloves of peeled garlic
• 1/2 bottle of red wine or port – port is best if you have it
• 1 cup cooking sherry or wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Onion, cut in large chunks
• Several sprigs of rosemary
• Salt and pepper
• Cover everything with a carton of beef broth, you may need more depending on how much it takes to cover the roast.

Cover, turn on to high and let the crock pot do its thing.  In a few hours your house will smell amazing – everyone who drops by will want to stay for dinner, guaranteed.

When it’s done, the meat will just fall apart and is so juicy. At dinner time, remove the roast and strain the remaining broth, this makes incredible au jus, or make it into a gravy for mashed potatoes.  Yum!

My family loves this on ciabatta rolls that have had cheese melted on them under the broiler, with the broth for dipping.

Your family will think you should be on the Food Network, just don’t tell them how easy it was.