Pop goes the soda, adding flavor and carbonation to a range of recipes

Recipe ingredients can be very unpredictable, and these recipes are no exception. Each of the recipes I am sharing today contains soda pop as an ingredient. There are hundreds of recipes on the Internet that incorporate soda. It is used in entree and savory dishes, breads and desserts. In the dessert category alone is every possible combination imaginable.

Although those in my family are not big soda drinkers, it is possible to buy individual small bottles at the grocery store just for certain recipes.

Have fun trying these recipes by adding some flavor and carbonation.

Cherry Coke and Jalapeno Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Seasoning:
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Pinch of cayenne
• Glaze:
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cherry coke
• 3 jalapeños

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine meatball ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine all seasoning ingredients. You can use all of it or less, per your taste, about 2 tablespoons seems to be a good amount. Add an egg and the breadcrumbs and mix all together. Mix it all up. Make medium-sized meatballs using an ice scoop. Place meatballs on a parchment lined rimmed edge baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 400 degrees. Flip meatballs after 15 minutes, and cook an additional 10 minutes.

To make the glaze, use a skillet or saucepan with a thick bottom and mix the sugar and jalapeños. Pour *½ cup of sparkly cherry coke in with the sugar. Bring to a boil. Boil 7 to 10 minutes over medium heat. As soon as it stops bubbling fiercely after you've stirred, it'll be the perfect consistency. It takes about 8 minutes.

During the last 10 minutes of baking, brush the meatballs with the glaze, applying liberally. Pop them back into the oven for another 5 minutes.

Dr. Pepper Slow Cooker Roast Beef

A delicious recipe, perfect for busy weeknight suppers.

• 1 (3-5) pound beef roast
• 1 can Dr. Pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper
• 3 cloves garlic

Place beef roast in slow cooker. Add in all other ingredients. Cook for 7 hours on low. Serve warm with pan juices spooned over the top.

Cola Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup cola soft drink, regular or diet
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 medium green pepper, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, water, half of the onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix well. Form into 1-inch balls and place in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully spoon or pour off all the fat.

In a medium bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, including remaining onion, salt and pepper. Pour over meatballs. Bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until sauce is bubbling and meatballs are cooked through.

Dr. Pepper Ribs

• 2 racks baby back ribs
• 1 (2 liter) bottle Dr. Pepper soda
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 medium onion, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Place the ribs in a large baking dish. Pour in Dr. Pepper and cover them, reserving at least 1/2 cup for the sauce. Add the salt and soak the ribs in fridge overnight (or at least 2 hours).

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the ribs from the liquid, dry them, and rub with the chili powder. Place them on a baking dish, add 1 cup of water, and cover tightly with foil. Cook for 2 hours, until the meat nearly falls off the bone.

For BBQ sauce: Heat the oil in saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until they are soft and fragrant and add the ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, cayenne and 1/2 cup of Dr. Pepper. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Fire up the grill, and brush the ribs with sauce. When the grill is hot, cook them bone side down on a cooler part for 10 to 15 minutes. Flip them and cook until lightly charred and smoky. Remove and brush on more sauce.

7-Up Biscuits

• 4 cups buttermilk baking mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup 7-Up soda
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Melt butter and pour into baking pan. Cut or stir sour cream into the buttermilk baking mix. Add 1 cup 7-Up, and gently mix just until mixed in. Turn out onto well flours surface. Pat dough out with your hands about 1-inch thick. Flour a cutter and cut biscuits and place in pan on top of butter. Bake at 425 degrees until light brown, about 20 minutes.

Apple Dumplings

• 2 large Granny Smith apples or 3 medium.
• 2 cans crescent rolls (8 count)
• 2 sticks butter
• 1 *½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoons vanilla
• Cinnamon to taste
• 1 can Mt. Dew soda

Peel and core apples. Cut large apples into 8 wedges or medium into 6 so you have at least 16 slices. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll starting at wide end. Place in a 9x13-inch buttered or sprayed baking pan.

Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, then pour entire mixture over apples. Pour Mt. Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream.

Have a great week, and until next time, happy cooking.