KALUA PORK

http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/07/kalua-pork-slow-cooker.html

KALUA PORK
We loved this!  Started it around 11:00 at night and then ate for dinner.  We had with coleslaw and BBQ sauce.  Used pretzel rolls from Costco.  Yum!  My favorite way to eat was with mayo, cheese and pickles on pretzel roll.  Loved it!  Would be so good with potato salad.  Used roast from Costco.  Just used the chunky pink sea salt from WinCo bulk.  Next time I might try saving some of the juice to mix in the meat - it got kinda dry.

• 1 (6 pound) pork butt roast
• 3 Tbsp Hawaiian sea salt
• 3 Tbsp liquid smoke flavoring

Pierce pork all over with a fork. Combine liquid smoke and salt.  Rub mixture over meat. Place roast in a slow cooker.

Cover, and cook on low for 16 to 20 hours, turning once during cooking time.

Remove meat from slow cooker and shred.

SMOTHERED SWEET PORK BURRITOS

SMOTHERED SWEET PORK BURRITOS

I made these for the missionaries (who are living across from us).  One of them is Elder Webb from Arizona (Lakeside - knows Jimmie's family).  The other one is from Tonga.  We really like both of them.  We were scheduled to have them over for dinner.  That night they were doing switches with other Elders.  The Tonga missionary and another elder from Surprise, AZ came.  The next day after church they knocked on our door to return the pizza pan they had borrowed the week prior.  Elder Webb mentioned how much the other Elder liked the burritos and he was sad he missed them.  We had just finished eating and I had all the left overs out.  They came in and ate lunch.  They both really liked them.  Had pretzel salad, chips & salsa and veggies with it.

YIELD: SERVES 6

You'll get more flavor if you use a pork roast that has a bone in - it can easily be removed once the pork is done cooking; however, this could also be made with boneless pork loin or a leaner cut of pork. Just keep in mind that it might not be quite as tender as a roast that has darker meat also. A note about the enchilada sauce, not all brands are created equal. I love the Herdez brand of green salsa or enchilada sauce (which I use interchangeably) so make sure you find a brand that tastes good (with a heat level you prefer).

INGREDIENTS

For Burritos:
• 2 1/2 pounds pork roast like pork shoulder or butt roast
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1-2 teaspoons liquid smoke
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 (15-ounce each) cans green enchilada sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Dash of hot sauce (optional)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 8 ounces Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (or a combination), grated
• 6-8 whole wheat or white flour tortillas, burrito-sized
For Cilantro Lime Rice:
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• juice and zest of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin

DIRECTIONS

1. Trim any excess fat pockets from the pork roast (it's ok to leave a bit here and there just trim the large pieces off). Cut the pork into 2-3 large pieces. Season each piece on all sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until rippling and hot. Add all the pieces of pork and brown on each side, 2-3 minutes total. Transfer the pork to the insert of a 5-6 quart slow cooker.
3. Add the liquid smoke and 1/2 cup water. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8 hours.
4. While the pork is cooking, prepare the rice. In a skillet or medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the rice. Stir, letting the rice and butter cook for 1-2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (broth, salt, pepper, lime juice and zest, cilantro and cumin) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15-16 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. This can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to assemble the burritos.
5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred into bite-sized pieces (discarding the bone, if needed, or any large pieces of fat). In a large bowl, toss the shredded pork with the brown sugar, 1/2 cup of the green sauce, chili powder, salt and pepper (add more salt and pepper to taste if needed). Add the hot sauce, if using.
6. Stir in the beans, rice and cilantro to the pork mixture.
7. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spread about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of the green sauce on the bottom.
8. Warm the tortillas lightly in a skillet or in the microwave. Scoop about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture into each tortilla and sprinkle with a bit of cheese (you'll want to leave some cheese for the top of all the burritos before they bake). Roll up burrito style (folding the ends in and rolling).
9. Place the burritos seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the burritos and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until heated through and the top is bubbly and slightly golden. Serve immediately.

THE BEST BARBECUE SAUCE

We had this with the Cluff family in Rexburg on top of pulled pork.  http://lncookbook.blogspot.com/2009/05/bbq-beef-sandwiches.html We all really liked it.  Makes a lot so I halved the recipe.
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/03/the-best-barbecue-sauce.html

The Best Barbecue Sauce

YIELD: MAKES ABOUT 7 CUPS OF BARBECUE SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups ketchup
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 4 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, mix together all the wet ingredients and then add the seasonings. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it simmers (and then as it cools). I try to plan ahead and simmer for at least an hour. Use the sauce to brush onto meats the last ten minutes of grilling or for any other recipe where barbecue sauce is used.
2. Once cooled, the sauce can be frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator and use as needed.

BBQ BEEF SANDWICHES

BBQ PULLED PORK SANDWICHES
We had these with the Cluff family while in Rexburg.  We love this recipe.  See the post The Best BBQ Sauce http://lncookbook.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-best-barbecue-sauce.html for the sauce (for bottled our favorite is Sweet Baby Rays).  I got a really big roast and made enough for smothered burritos.
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/08/bbq-pulled-pork-sandwiches-slow-cooker.html

Also it is good to use the leftovers on top of a green salad or as part of nachos.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 to 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (I’ve also used boneless pork loin – not tenderloin – but pork loin with good results)
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon hickory flavored liquid smoke
• 2 cups barbecue sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. Rinse the pork shoulder and pat dry. Rub salt and pepper over the pork and place in a slow cooker. Add water and liquid smoke. Cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, until the pork is very tender.
2. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and discard the remaining liquid. Shred the pork using a couple of forks. Place the meat back in the slow cooker along with the barbecue sauce and continue to cook for another 20-30 minutes until the pork is hot again. Serve on buns with extra barbecue sauce.

INSTANT POT BBQ BEEF
We all really liked this.  Cooked in the instant pot in 60 minutes!  It was very tender.

Cut pork roast into 6 pieces.  Rub on dry rub.  Put 2 T oil in instant pot and put on saute setting.  Cook each side for 3 minutes.  Take out meat and pour in 14 oz BBQ sauce that has been mixed with 1.5 cups water.  Scrap bottom of pan.  Then put meat back in a cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.  Let it natural release then take out and shred.

Dry Rub:
2 T brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon (could try one drop of essential oil)
1 tsp kosher salt


BBQ BEEF SANDWICHES
This recipe came from the Ott's. It is really easy and very good. Makes a lot - would be a good to feed company.
3lb roast (pork or beef)
1 c. water
2 beef bouillon cubes (really good with 4 tsp of better than boullion)
---
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. catsup
1/4 c. mustard
dash of Worcestershire sauce
---
hoagies or rolls
sliced cheese

Put roast in the crock pot with the water and bouillon cubes and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours until tender.Shred meat and retain 1 c. of juices from cooking. Add remaining ingredients to shredded meat and give it a stir. Put back in crock pot and cook on low 3-4 hours or high 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Serve on rolls w/cheese and enjoy.

ROOTBEER PORK
This is a good recipe too.
http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/01/root-beer-pulled-pork-recipe.html

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1 (4 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 (12 ounce) can or bottled root beer (do not use diet root beer)
• 4 lbs boneless pork shoulder roast
• 12 buns

Instructions

In a slow cooker, mix everything together except the pork.

Add the pork, stir well, and cover.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours.

An hour or two before it is done shred the pork with two forks in the slow cooker.

Mix well. The sauce will be a little runny but the longer you let the meat sit the more it will soak up the juices.