pulling together pulled pork

Last week I pulled together pulled pork for dinner using a crock pot and about 15 minutes of planning.  Again, this is all thanks to Simmons who sent me to The Bitten Word blog for the recipe.  It is amazing what I can get done on a week night with a little direction.

Ultimate Cheaters Pulled Pork
As heard on The Spendid Table Podcast
Reprinted from Cheater BBQ: Barbecue Anytime, Anywhere, In Any Weather

Makes 12 to 14 servings

    * One 5- to 6-pound boneless Boston butt pork roast or same weight of boneless country-style pork ribs
    * 1/4 cup Cheater Basic Dry Rub (recipe follows)
    * 1/2 cup bottled smoke
    * Barbecue sauce of your choice

1. Cut the pork butt into medium (2- to 3-inch) chunks (the ribs don't need to be cut up).

2. Put the pieces in a large slow cooker (at least 5 quarts). Sprinkle the meat with the rub, turning the pieces to coat evenly. Add the bottled smoke.

3. Cover and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours or on low for 10 to 12 hours, until the meat is pull-apart tender and reaches an internal temperature of 190 F.

4. Using tongs and a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a rimmed platter or baking sheet. Let rest until cool enough to handle. Pull the meat into strands. It should shred very easily. Serve the barbecue piled on buns with your favorite barbecue sauce.

5. To serve the barbecue later, cover and refrigerate the meat when it has cooled. Pour the meat juice into a separate container and refrigerate. Before reheating the juice, skim and discard the congealed fat layer on the top.

6. To reheat the barbecue, place it in a saucepan moistened with some of the reserved juice. Gently heat the meat on medium-low, stirring occasionally. Or, place it in a covered casserole with some of the reserved juice and heat in a 350 F oven for 20 to 30 minutes.

7. While the meat warms, combine the barbecue sauce and some of the additional reserved meat juice in a saucepan. Heat through and serve with the barbecue.

Cheater Basic Dry Rub
Makes about 2/3 cup

    * 1/4 cup paprika
    * 2 tablespoons kosher salt
    * 2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
    * 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    * 1 tablespoon dry mustard

1. Combine all the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake to blend.

To get it all done on a tight time line, I chopped the Boston Butt the night before and placed it in a Ziploc bag for the morning.  I also made the Cheater Basic Dry Rub and put that in a bag so that it was ready to go.  In the morning, I took 5 minutes to put things in the cock pot and ran out the door to daycare.  When I got home the house smelled awesome and I didn't dread the question- What's for dinner! 

It made a TON of food.  Brad even took the leftovers to the tailgate this weekend!  YUMMY.