pulled pork - a slow cooker recipe

I don't know how long I've been wanting a slow cooker... but I've been lusting after one for an embarrassingly long time.  (Maybe that came with having kids?)  I finally got one (this one - it was on sale at Target at almost 50% off), and the first thing I made was pulled pork.  Immediately I screamed "why didn't I buy a slow cooker earlier?!  We could have been eating this all the time!!"  It's good... like REALLY good.  The 2 year old is a picky eater and wouldn't try it - but the 11 month old couldn't get enough and was licking pieces from his arm after they'd fallen from his pork clenched fists.  I should have taken pictures of the process and finished product, but I was too busy enjoying every moment... maybe next time.

makes 8-10 servings | 30 minutes to prep, 6-10 hours to cook 

Ingredients:
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced

4 medium garlic cloves, minced

2 cups chicken stock or chicken broth, (or 2 cups of water and 2 bouillon cubes)

1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (3-1/2- to 5-pound) boneless or bone-in pork shoulder (also known as pork butt), twine or netting removed

Place the sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker and toss in the minced garlic.  Pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth.  (I actually cheated and tossed in 2 cups of water and 2 chicken bouillon cubes).  Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, measured salt, cumin, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork and place the meat on top of the onions and garlic. Cover and cook until the pork is fork tender, 6 hours on high, or 10 hours on low.

Turn off the slow cooker and remove the pork to a cutting board. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium heatproof bowl. Pour the onion mixture from the slow cooker through the strainer and return the solids to the slow cooker. Set the strained liquid aside.

If the pork has a bone, remove and discard it. Using 2 forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large pieces of fat. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker.  Use a spoon to skim and discard the fat from the surface of the strained cooking liquid, and then add 1/4 cup of the liquid at a time to the slow cooker until the pork is just moistened. (Reserve leftover broth).  Taste and season with salt as needed.  Set slow cooker to warm and keep covered until ready to eat.

Serving suggestions:
Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Carnitas Tacos

Pulled Pork Pizza

Leftovers:
Freeze leftover broth in an ice cube tray.  When frozen, remove cubes from tray and toss into a Ziplock freezer bag.  Label it and use for pulled pork re-heats, soups or rice.

Freeze any un-used pulled pork in individual servings.  Using a muffin tin, fill each spot with pork, cover with saran wrap and freeze the tray for at least 2 hours.  Remove each serving of pork and throw them into a Ziplock freezer bag.  To defrost - let sit in fridge overnight.  When defrosted, toss into slow cooker with a cube or two of broth, or other sauce, as desired, (such as BBQ sauce, salsa verde, etc).

classic honey baked ham

The most simple version of ham that packs a sweet punch.  An instant classic... 

Ingredients
1 ham, 5 - 7 pounds1/4 cup corn syrup1 1/2 cups honey1/3 cup butter

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and place ham in baking pan.
2. Heat corn syrup, honey, and butter in a pan on low heat.
3. Continually brush glaze over ham about every 10 - 15 minutes while baking for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. Place ham in broiler and caramelize the glaze for 5 minutes. Remove from oven, and let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.

to-meater pasta

1/2 pkg fettuccini pasta (dry)

1/2 lb hot jimmy dean sausage

1 pkg cherry tomatoes or small snacking tomatoes

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 tsp Garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg 

Olive oil

Chipotle (optional), 1/4 tsp or more

Parmesan cheese

Cook fettuccine according to directions in pkg. In a separate skillet - cook the sausage. Drain the pasta and shock with cold water. Drain the sausage on paper towels. In the pan the sausage cooked in: add the cream, garlic powder and nutmeg. Simmer until heated through. Add the tomatoes, 1 tsp of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Add chipotle, if desired. Continue to simmer stirring occasionally. 

Combine pasta, cream with tomatoes and sausage. Divide among two plates and top with Parmesan cheese. 

[grilled tortilla chips]

Corn tortillas

Olive oil

Salt (mix it up - I like garlic salt)

I use a panini press, but an indoor grill or skillet would work also. 

Heat panini press. Drizzle a little olive oil on corn tortilla and sprinkle with salt. Using a basting brush or fingers, spread oil and salt on one side of tortilla. Put on panini press and grill until turning golden brown. Turn tortilla a quarter turn and continue grilling until crisp, but not burnt. Cut into chips immediately. Enjoy warm or at room temp. 

[teriyaki salmon]

Salmon filet (1/person)

Olive oil

Teriyaki sauce (we like Soy Vay Teriyaki)

Prepare broiling pan by covering with foil and brushing with olive oil. Place salmon skin side down and brush with olive oil.

Broil 4-6 inches from heat until fish flakes easily. (Depending on the thickness - I broil for 12-16 minutes). 

Remove salmon and drizzle with teriyaki sauce. 

Remove skin by sliding spatula under the salmon, or flipping over and removing skin. 

Serve immediately. 

[spicy toscana soup]

Serves 4 as an appetizer, 2 as an entree

Based on top secret's version of the same name

2 3/4 cup chicken stock or broth

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 medium russet potato

2 cups chopped kale

1/2 pound hot ground sausage (I use jimmy dean hot sausage)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium high heat. When crumbled and cooked, drain the fat from the meat by letting sit on a plate covered with a paper towel. 

Meanwhile, combine the stock and cream in a large pot over medium heat. 

Wash the potato and cut into 1/4 inch slices, then quarter the slices and add them to the soup. 

Wash and dry, then chop the kale. Add to the soup. 

Add the sausage to the soup. 

Add the spices and let the soup simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. 

Optional: top with shredded Parmesan cheese. 

[pumpkin bread]

Yields two loaves

3 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 cups canned pumpkin

2/3 cup of water

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour two loaf pans. Mix sugar and oil with mixer. Add eggs and blend. Add pumpkin and blend. Add water and blend. Combine remaining ingredients and add slowly. Fill pans equally and bake for one hour or until golden brown.

[pasta with ham, peas and cream]

serves 2 adults and 1 child
based on Nigella's recipe of the same name

1 cup dried pasta, like mini farfalle
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 cup diced ham
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan


Cook pasta according to directions on box in plenty of salted boiling water.  After 5 minutes add the peas to the pasta.

When the pasta is cooked, drain with the peas.  Put the dry pan back on the heat with the cream and ham.  Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the pasta, peas and Parmesan and warm through.  Serve hot and enjoy.

[baja chicken chalupa]

We used to love one thing at Taco Bell, and then they discontinued it… the Baja Chicken/Steak Chalupa. We finally missed it enough to clone it.

Makes 5 chalupas

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
Fajita seasoning
Olive oil
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 Tbsp red onion, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
Northwoods Fire Seasoning
Lettuce, shredded
1/2 tomato, diced
1 Tbsp white onion, diced
Colby jack cheese, shredded
5 flatbreads

Directions:
Pound the chicken breasts to 1/4" thickness. Sprinkle with a generous covering of fajita seasoning. Sauté in olive oil on med/high heat. Flip when browned and sauté other side. Wrap chicken in foil pouch and let sit for 20 minutes until juices run clear.

baja sauce

Meanwhile, make Baja sauce: combine bell pepper, red onion and garlic. Add mayonnaise and red wine vinegar until desired consistency. Add one shake of fajita seasoning and 2 shakes of northwoods fire seasoning. Stir and adjust seasonings as desired. Let sit.

Brush olive oil on one side of each piece of flatbread. Heat griddle or panini maker and grill flatbread, rotating once, until golden brown and slightly crunchy on oiled side. Let sit.

Combine tomato and white onion. Let sit.

cubed chicken

When chicken juices run clear, cube chicken. Assemble chalupas: flatbread (crunchy side down), shredded lettuce, chicken, Baja sauce (Tbsp per chalupa), tomato and white onion, shredded cheese.

Enjoy.

[vegetable flatbread sandwich]

We're getting sick of deli meat and PB&J… turns out healthy can be delicious.

Ingredients:
Flatbread
Balsamic vinegar
1 slice of Cheese: provolone, mozzarella, something thin sliced
Spoonful of Hummus (whatever kind you like)
Sliced veggies: bell pepper, cucumber, avocado, any mix of things you like

Directions:
Heat the flatbread in the microwave for 30 seconds. Dribble a small amount of balsamic vinegar directly on the flatbread. Lay down the cheese and smear one spoonful of hummus. Place desired vegetables on top. Fold & enjoy!

Serve with chips or your favorite lunch side.

[will's chicken]

A super flavorful but simple recipe.  I use chicken leg quarters (the leg and thighs connected), but substituting bone-in , skin on chicken breasts are fine too.  The skin and bones add depth to the chicken - just be sure not to eat the skin.  (Or bones... but that should be obvious!)

Sprinkle chicken (bone-in, skin on) with salt and pepper.  Heat skillet to medium/high, add a Tbsp (eyeball it) of Olive Oil and sear chicken until both sides are golden brown.

Make paste: 

2 Tbsp mayo

1 Tbsp (or more) sirachi

½ tsp minced garlic

½ tsp minced onion

¼ tsp rosemary

¼ tsp savory

Prepare a baking dish, like glass pyrex, with olive oil (to prevent sticking).  Place chicken in the dish and  smear paste on the skin side (facing up).

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes, until chicken reaches 165 degrees.

[new potatoes au gratin]

Serves 2-3
Estimated time: 40min

Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons flour
1 cups whole milk
Salt and white pepper
6-8 new red potatoes, cooked and sliced 1/2-inch thick
3 ounces grated Cheddar cheese

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease an 8 cup rectangular baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter. In a nonreactive saucepan, over medium heat, melt the remaining butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook until the liquid is slightly thick and coats the back of a spoon, about 4 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat. In a mixing bowl, toss the sliced new potatoes with salt and pepper. Fold in the cream sauce and pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top of the potatoes with the grated cheese. Place the pan in the oven and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

[chocolate cake with chocolate frosting]

This recipe is by far the easiest I've ever made from scratch.  Sure, you can buy the box, but this actually tastes better and is simple to halve if needed.  Enjoy...

2 cups granulated white sugar

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup Cocoa, like Hershey's

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 eggs at room temperature

1 cup milk (I've used 1%, works great)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Chocolate Frosting (recipe below)

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray two 9-inch round baking pans with Pam Baking Spray, (the genius stuff that has the flour in it).  

Stir together: sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.  Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.  Add a small amount of the boiling water and continue mixing.  Slowly add the rest of the boiling water and continue to mix until well combined.  Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

Bake 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cakes.  Cool 10 minutes then remove from the pans and continue to cool completely on a wire rack.  Frost with the chocolate frosting and serve.

Other Pans:

13x9x2 Pyrex pan: 35-40 minutes

3 8" round baking pans: 30-35 minutes

12-cup Bundt Pan: 50-55 minutes, cool 15 minutes, then remove

Cupcakes: (makes 30) Fill 2/3 full with batter, bake 22-25 minutes

Chocolate Frosting

1 stick unsalted butter

2/3 cup Cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Melt the butter.  Mix the butter and cocoa in a mixing bowl.  Slowly add the powdered sugar and milk, alternating between the two.  Continue to beat until it's spreadable.  Add a little more milk if needed.  Add the vanilla and continue to whip until you like the consistency.  (I just keep whipping until it's spreadable, but I like it thick). 

[cilantro grilled chicken breast]

I wanted something simple and foolproof, so I found this.  

Turns out it's damn good.

1 pound (2 large breasts) boneless skinless chicken breast, butterflied
2 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil
salt & pepper
2 tablespoons Cilantro Herb Butter, recipe follows

Preheat a grill.  Prep the coals (if using charcoal) to indirectly cook the chicken.  Lightly coat chicken with oil and sprinkle each evenly on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill chicken breasts for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked; the meat should be solid white throughout and the internal temperature will read 165 degrees F. Remove from grill and immediately cover with foil while the chicken rests.  To serve: top with 1 Tbsp of the cilantro herb butter on each breast.

Cilantro Butter:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp minced red onion

2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1 lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp white wine
 

In a bowl or mixer, whisk all ingredients until thoroughly combined. (I prefer to use my stand mixer and whip the butter mixture).  Refrigerate until ready to use.

[australian beer-barbecued wings]

based on 'Austrailian Beer-Barbecued Wings' by Steven Raichlen

wing with sauce

Note: prep takes 4 hours for marinating the wings

12-16 whole chicken wings

1/4 cup peanut oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup Foster's Premium Beer

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

BBQ Sauce

2 Tbsp peanut oil

1 small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp ground ginger

3/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 cup ketchup

1/3 cup Foster's Premium Beer

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp honey

2 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp black pepper

Rinse the wings under cool running tap water.  Drain and blot with paper towels.  Make two or three deep slashes, to the bone, in the meaty part of each wing.  In a large non reactive bowl mix the following: 1/4 cup of peanut oil, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup of beer, the salt and the 1 tsp of pepper.  Add the wings to the mixture and toss to coat.  Cover the bowl and marinate in the fridge for 4 hours, turning occasionally.  

About an hour before the chicken is finished marinating, start making the BBQ Sauce.  Heat the 2 Tbsp of peanut oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion, garlic, ginger and hot pepper flakes and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the ketchup, 1/3 cup of beer, 2 Tbsp of lemon juice, 2 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tbsp of vinegar, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, mustard, and 1/2 tsp of pepper and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium/low and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.   Remove the BBQ sauce from the heat and let sit until ready to use.  

beer barbecued wings

As the chicken is reaching it's 4 hour marinating time, start the grill and get the heat to medium/high.  (We use charcoal - takes about a half hour to prep).  Pull the wings from their marinating sauce, (toss the sauce the chicken was marinating in), and place on the hot grill, trying to spread the wings as much as possible to expose all the skin.  Grill the wings, flipping several times, for 11 minutes.  (Watch for hot spots: grill marks = good, burned skin = bad).  Divide the BBQ sauce and use half for the wings.  Brush the sauce onto the wings and grill for 5 minutes, flipping and brushing on more sauce halfway through.  Chicken should no longer be pink in the center.  Remove the chicken from the grill and place the on a platter.  Cover the platter with foil and let the chicken sit for 5-10 minutes to let juices run clear and the chicken rest.  

Serve with the reserved sauce for dipping.  Cut up some celery and serve with Blue Cheese Vegetable Dip (for the celery and wings).

[crustless spinach quiche]

a full pie of awesome

Yields 6 servings (can easily be chilled and enjoyed in about a week)

Ingredients

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

5 eggs, beaten

3 cups shredded Muenster Cheese

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.  

Heat oil  in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft.  Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper.  Add spinach mixture and stir to combine.  Scoop into prepared pie pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Note: For individual servings - distribute the spinach mixture into a greased muffin pan.  Each muffin tin should be a little less than half full.  

You can also use any other additional vegetables you want like mushrooms, sliced red pepper, scallions, green olives, tomatoes.  Feel free to mix up the cheese too - it's really just according to your preference.

[pancakes from scratch]

Promise you'll never use Bisquick again...

1 egg
1 cup 1% milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
 

Beat egg, milk and vanilla together.  Combine remaining ingredients and stir into the batter, until smooth.  Don't over mix.

Pour a little batter onto a hot griddle.  Allow them to cook until the tops of pancakes are bubbled, then turn with spatula.  Cook just until the underside is lightly browned.

Makes about 10 (4") pancakes.  Recipe may be doubled. 

[minestrone w/ turkey meatballs]

This is just the 'easy minestrone' recipe with turkey meatballs, but it makes a world of difference and it's amazingly good.  You're welcome

The soup: based on Nigella Lawson's 'Minestrone in Minutes'

The balls: based on Giada De Laurentiis' 'Mini Turkey Meatballs'

Serves 2-3

Turkey Meatball Ingredients:

1/2 small onion, grated or finely chopped

1 1/2 garlic cloves, minced 

1 large egg

1/8 cup dried bread crumbs

1 1/2 Tbsp ketchup

small handful of fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped.  (or a large pinch of dry)

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 pound extra lean ground Turkey (I use the 99% fat free stuff)

2 Tbsp olive oil

Meatball Directions:

(These can be prepared ahead of time and then chill in the fridge for a day or two before you make the soup.)

 

Add the onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, ketchup, parsley, Parmesan, salt & pepper to a large bowl and blend. Mix in the turkey. Shape the turkey mixture into 1 1/4-inch-diameter meatballs. Place on a large plate or baking sheet. 

Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan, or electric skillet, over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and saute until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. (Note to self - turkey browns quickly - turn often).  Turn off heat. Transfer the meatballs to a paper towel covered plate.

Let the meatballs sit and prepare the soup...

Soup Ingredients: 

Meatballs

1 14-oz can Cannellini beans

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup tomato-based pasta sauce, I use Prego Traditional

4 oz ditalini passta

Red Pepper flakes, optional

Soup Directions:

Bring the chicken broth and the pasta sauce to a boil in a large saucepan.  Drain the beans and add them to the broth. Carefully add the meatballs and bring the pan to a boil and then add the ditalini, cooking according to the time on the package instructions.  (Usually 10 minutes).  (Depending on your desired level of spiciness, shake some red pepper flakes into the soup - I usually do about 4-6 shakes).  Once the pasta is tender, switch off the heat, remove the pan to a cool surface and let stand for 10 minutes.   Serve the meatball minestrone with Parmesan, if desired.

[easy minestrone]

Based on Nigella Lawson's 'Minestrone in Minutes'

Serves 2-3

1 14-oz can Cannellini beans

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup tomato-based pasta sauce, I use Prego Traditional

4 oz ditalini

Red Pepper flakes, optional

Bring the chicken broth and the pasta sauce to a boil in a large saucepan.  Drain the beans and add them to the broth. Bring the pan to a boil and then add the ditalini, cooking according to the time on the package instructions.  (Depending on your desired level of spiciness, shake some red pepper flakes into the soup - I usually do about 4-6 shakes).  Once the pasta is tender, switch off the heat, remove the pan to a cool surface and let stand for 5-10 minutes. 

[breakfast bars]

These are so easy and they get better as the week goes by.  Snack on them during the day, or enjoy one for breakfast. 

Based on Nigella Lawson's recipe of the same name.

1 14-oz can condensed sweetened milk

2 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup low salt, or unsalted, peanuts

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.  Oil a 9x13-inch baking pan, (I use my Pyrex).  Warm the condensed milk in a saucepan.  Meanwhile, mix all the other ingredients in a large bowl and add the warmed condensed milk, using a rubber spatula to fold and distribute.  Spread the mixture into the oiled pan and press down until the surface is flat.  Bake for 1 hour.  Let the pan cool on the counter for 15 minutes, then cut into four across and four down to make 16 chunky bars.  Let them continue to cool until they're room temperature.  Store in a ziplock bag or plastic container.  They get better as they sit.