January 22, 2012

Pulled Pork Sunday Dinner

My parents bought me a slow cooker for my birthday. I never understood why people were so obsessed with them. Now I know. I think it is my new favorite kitchen gadget. 


We had our bachelor brothers over for dinner last Sunday and made a man meal: meat, potatoes, and salad (my attempt to give them vegetables). Here are some simple recipes for a delicious dinner.






root beer pulled pork
ingredients:
4 lb pork shoulder
2 12 oz bottles of root beer
1 large bottle of bbq sauce
salt & pepper
buns (kaiser if available)


directions:
season pork shoulder with salt & pepper on all sides.
place pork in slow cooker and pour root beer over pork.
cook on low for 7 hours.
remove pork and drain liquid.
shred pork. add back to slow cooker.
stir in barbecue sauce.
cook on low for 1 hour.
serve on kaiser buns.



butter potatoes
ingredients:
8 russet potatoes
2 sticks butter
salt & pepper


directions:
preheat oven to 450 degrees.
peel potatoes and slice in halves or thirds, depending on size.
boil potatoes in large pot until they can be pierced with a fork.
transfer potatoes to a pan. add salt & pepper.
melt 2 sticks of butter.
pour over potatoes. use brush to cover potatoes with butter.
bake until golden brown. 



best dinner salad ever
ingredients:
2 heads romaine lettuce
1/2 package green onions
1 package cherry tomatoes
4 T shredded parmesan cheese
1 bottle girard's old venice italian dressing


directions:
cut romaine lettuce.
dice onions.
slice cherry tomatoes in halves (or leave whole if you prefer).
combine ingredients.
sprinkle in parmesan cheese.
mix in dressing.







picked up this beauty at my local butcher


my childhood favorite. making some root beer floats with the extras


not very healthy, but oh so delicious


can you say yum?



this is my mother-in-law's salad. it is so simple but always a favorite


best dressing for the best salad ever


shot of my table and favorite wine, clos du bois


the perfect plate
.


tips & extras


barbecue sauce - My favorite bottled sauce is Sweet Baby Ray's (made right in my home town, Chicago). I sometimes make my own sauce (you can use a homemade sauce for this), but it can be quite a bit of work. 


root beer - I used IBC but you can use whatever you like or what is available. 


shredding pork - Two forks work well to pull the pork apart. Make sure to remove the fat.