Comfort With a Kick

Liven up dinner with flavorful recipes that don't require much effort

- RECIPES: JASMINE SMITH; FOOD STYLING: JULIAN HENSARLING; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINA DALEY photographs by VICTOR PROTASIO

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Spareribs

ACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 3 HOURS, 20 MIN.

SERVES 4

1 slab St. Louis-style pork spareribs (about 3 lb.), halved crosswise

1 Tbsp. all-purpose barbecue rub

1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1 tsp. kosher salt

3/4 tsp. black pepper

1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce, divided

Dill pickle chips

White bread slices

1. Remove and discard the thin outer membrane on back of ribs by loosening it with a sharp knife and pulling it off.

2. Stir together rub, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; sprinkle mixture on both sides of ribs, patting to coat. Brush ¼ cup barbecue sauce over top of ribs.

3. Pour ¼ cup water into a 6-quart slow cooker. Place ribs, meat side up, in slow cooker, overlapping slightly if needed. Cover and cook until meat is tender but not falling off the bone, 3 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW.

4. Preheat broiler with rack about 8 inches from heat source. Place ribs, meat side up, on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Brush ¼ cup barbecue sauce on top of ribs. Broil until sauce starts to caramelize, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush top of ribs with ¼ cup barbecue sauce. Let rest 5 minutes.

5. Slice ribs between bones. Serve with remaining ½ cup barbecue sauce, pickle chips, and bread slices.

Cowboy Chicken Spaghetti

ACTIVE 25 MIN. - TOTAL 45 MIN.

SERVES 6

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 Tbsp. minced garlic (from 3 garlic cloves)

2 cups unsalted chicken stock

8 oz. processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cubed

3 cups shredded cooked chicken