BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

What better way to celebrate our county's independance than with a good 'ole American sandwich!

Not just any old sandwich, but one that has the flavors American's love....BBQ.

Now this sandwich is not just any 'ole meat....it PORK...and not a typical smoked pork, cause I don't have a smoker.  But, it certainly does have the smokey flavor, AND the pork is slow cooked and pulled just like a real smoked pork.

The trick is that I used a slow cooker....yes, a crock pot...and it came out tender, moist, and falling off the bone!

Don't let this fool you, this sandwich packs a great punch.  I also used my special Chili Rub I posted yesterday, which gives this great "smokey" flavor. (click on the link to go to the Chili Rub recipe)  Make sure to add this step it's crucial!

This pulled pork sandwich is in the spirit of the Carolina BBQs.    The meat is slow cooked, over indirect heat.  Using a pork shoulder, the meat is "pulled" or shredded.  The all important sauce is a vinegar based sauce which I bought (more on that later) and is used to flavor the pork after the slow cooking is complete.  This sauce is typical of North Carolina.  In South Carolina they tend to use a mustard based sauce, but I like the vinegar base myself!

This is not a "quick" meal by any means, so it takes some time and planning.  Great for a large crowd, a party, celebrations, holiday, or weekend meal.

So let's pull some pork!!!

Take a 4 1b. boneless pork shoulder.  Rub the pork with my chili rub all over, on both sides.  Really rub it in there. 

Place the pork fat side up in a 5 quart slow cooker.  As a basting, add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 stick of butter.  You can put some of the butter on top of the pork so that it melts and seeps in to the meat.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or under very tender.

Remove pork from slow cooker and place on a cutting board to rest and cool enough for you to handle.  I've pulled off the top fat layer here... see that great crust, and the seasoning??

Meanwhile heat up the BBQ sauce in a sauce pan on your stove over low heat.  I purchased a North Carolina Sauce called "NC Barbecue Sauce" from "The Pit".  Purchased from Williams-Sonoma.  The Pit Western-Style North Carolina Barbecue Sauce: A famous blend of pureed tomatoes, tangy cider vinegar, blackstrap molasses and local wildflower honey, this spicy-sweet sauce comes from The Pit Authentic Barbecue in Raleigh, North Carolina; 12 oz.  You can purchase this here:  The Pit - Carolina BBQ Sauce .

You might need several bottles if you are serving a large crowd!

Remove and discard any excess fat from the pork.  Using 2 forks, shred the pork.

Place the shredded pork in the sauce pan and mix with the BBQ sauce.

Toast the hamburger buns using the broiler for about 2-3 minutes until nice and brown.

Top buns with the saucy pork mixture, add a pickle if you like!

See how yummy, makes you want some huh?
Now I served this with a "special" cole slaw...which I'll share with your tomorrow!

So fire up the...hmmmm...slow cooker, and get you some BBQ pulled pork going!  Enjoy!












BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Serves 8

4 lb. boneless pork shoulder
1 c chili rub
1 c apple cider vinegar
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 bottle of BBQ sauce, North Carolina Style (I used "The Pit")
8 hamburger buns, toasted
pickle slices are optional

Rub your pork with the chili rub mixture, rubbing on all sides.  Place pork in a 5 qt. slow cooker.  Add apple cider vinegar and butter to the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or until very tender.

Remove from cooker and place pork on a cutting board.  Let cool for several minutes.

Heat BBQ sauce in a medium sauce pan over low heat.  Shred pork using forks.  Place shredded pork inside the sauce pan stirring to coat completely.  Allow to simmer while you prepare the sandwiches.

Toast hamburger buns in the broiler 2-3 min until golden brown.  Top the bottom bun with pork mixture.  Cover with the top bun.  Serve with pickles if desired!

Chili Rub

Everyone getting ready to BBQ or Grill for the 4th of July??

I'm going to do a series of posts of some delishhhhious foods that you can make for the holiday, or just any time this summer.

Let's start off with a Rub. 

A rub is a spice and/or herb mixture.  It's applied to the outside surface of your food before cooking.  They can be used as a dry rub, or a wet rub.  Dry rubs are applied and allowed to sit on the meat, which breaks down the fibers and tenderizes it.  It's great for food that is cooked using direct heat or on food that won't tenderize much.

A wet rub is a dry rub with oil or other fat added to it to create a paste.  Again it's rubbed into and on top of the meat and allowed to sit.

Rubs are very commonly used on meats when grilling or smoking.  They are a great way to add flavor....so try it!

I've made a Chili Rub to go with my pork shoulder for some tasty BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches.  I'll give you the pulled pork sandwich recipe tomorrow!

Rubs are super easy to make, using a variety of spices.  In addition to the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, this would be great on grilled or pan fried chicken, pork chops, and steak. 

Start the summer right with a great BBQ and a GREAT RUB!

Chili Rub

2 T coarse salt
1 T Brown Sugar Splenda (or 2 T regular light brown sugar, packed)
1 1/2 T Smoked Chipotle Paprika  (if you can't find this use smoked paprika and add some chipotle powder as well)
1 T Black smoked pepper (or regular black pepper)
1 T garlic powder
1 t dry mustard
1 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1 t dried oregano

Blend all spices together in a bowl.  Use immediately, or cover tightly and store for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.  Makes 1 cup of spice rub.

Source:  Adapted from William-Sonoma

Pizza Night: Individual Pizzas

Who doesn't love pizza??

Pizza is such a popular dish everywhere, so why not make some fresh homemade pizza yourself?

We decided to do individual pizzas, each choosing our own toppings and creating our own perfect pizza, and then sharing them so we can sample and vote on the best.  A pizza tasting party!!

Pizza is easy to make at home. It starts of with a good dough.  You can use store bought or homemade, thick or thin crust.

I bought a whole wheat pizza dough at the grocery store and split it in two.  We both like thin crust pizza so we rolled it out thin, and kept it rustic, not neat and round.

Next, assemble all your toppings.  We chose shredded mozerella, sliced fresh mozerella, sliced turkey pepperoni, whole basil leaves, chopped basil, diced fresh tomatoes, sliced tomatoes, and fresh sliced mushrooms.  You can choose any toppings you like!

To assemble, you will want a sauce to place on the crust of your pizza.  We chose a red sauce that I made from a can of tomato sauce, adding garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt & pepper, which I heated up and simmered for 10 min to blend all the flavors.  You can choose, a white sauce such as alfredo, green sauce such as pesto, or a jarred tomato sauce...even marinara works wonderful.  Just as long as you enjoy the flavor.  Add your tomato sauce to the crust, using a much or as little as you please.

Place your toppings of choice on the pizza.

I chose to make a traditional Margherita Pizza, and MGG made one with diced tomatoes, turkey pepperoni, mushrooms, and a little basil garnish.

Make sure you preheat your oven to 425 - 450 degrees.  I use a pizza stone, which you must put in the oven when it is cold and allow it to heat up with the oven...these stones are awesome for pizza and any kind of bread baking.  Here's the stone in the oven...bad pic...sorry it's dark in there!

Then you slide your pizzas on to the stone, using a peel, or a cookie sheet dusted with cornmeal, and one that doesn't have sides...very important!  This helps get the pizza off the tray!

Cook for about 10-13 minutes.  It's done when everything is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Here's mine....yum!!

Here's his....lookin' good!

Allow to cool for about 5 min....Now the serving....mine

his...

both...hey! his is bigger!!! 

a lot bigger....hmmm.

And for the taste contest...well he liked both..and I think I liked his better...I'm partial to pepperoni and mushrooms! 

Happy pizza tasting!!!