Cooking the Deals: June 30 - July 5

Jewel: soda ($8 for 4 12-packs), watermelon ($2.98), baked beans ($1.67), corn on the cob ($.22 each), Oscar Mayer hot dogs ($.99 if you buy 10 participating items), brownie mix ($.49 if you buy 10), Nature Valley granola bars ($2.50 each, $7 off in Catalinas if you buy 4)

Dominicks: corn on the cob ($.17 each), Bush’s baked beans ($1.67), Breyer’s ice cream ($2.49), watermelon ($2.49)

Aldi: potato chips ($1.29) and corn chips ($.99), cantaloupe ($.99), blueberries ($1.29), strawberries ($.99), graham crackers ($1.19)

Target: St. Louis ribs( $1.99 lb), corn on the cob ($.20 each), Heinz ketchup ($1.99)

Walmart: pork spareribs ($1.98 lb), corn on the cob ($.20 each)

Suggested dishes:

Just go with it! This week, cookout food rules. Hot dogs, baked beans, watermelon, corn on the cob, and fruit salad. Splash out on some ribs for the grown-ups and serve brownies with ice cream or s’mores for dessert.

The secret to great ribs is braising them rather than boiling them. Lay your ribs in a deep dish, pour a beer around them, and coat liberally in a great spice rub (I use Bronzeville Rib Rub). Cover tightly with foil and cook for about 3 hours at 250 degrees. Bones should be a bit loose and meat should be tender. Coat lightly with barbecue sauce and finish on the grill.