Barbecued Pulled Pork

There are some recipes that require a trip to the grocery store and then a second trip to a specialty store and substitutions because really, that spice is impossible to find. Then the shopping excursions are followed by prep work and cooking time. Whew! By the time all that work is done, you're almost too tuckered out to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thankfully, there are great recipes that make great meals that can be made with enough time to grab a glass of wine after loading the dishwasher. This bbq pulled pork recipe is an easy Crock-Pot weeknight or Sunday game day meal for a crowd. The crucial part is allowing enough cooking time and picking a barbeque sauce you really love.

Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches - Serves 8-10

Have it:

1 pork shoulder roast (about 2 1/2 lbs.) *smaller roasts will require a shorter cooking time

1 14 oz. your favorite barbecue sauce (my favorite is from a neighborhood spot, The Smoke Daddy)

1 tbl. fresh or bottled lemon juice

1 teas. brown sugar

1 medium onion, chopped

8 hamburger buns or hard rolls

Do it:
1. Place roast in 4 1/2 quart Crock-Pot slow cooker. (My pot is bigger but as long as the roast is 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. its ok). Cover; cook on Low 10-12 hours or on High 5-6 hours.

2. Remove roast from Crock-Pot slow cooker; discard cooking liquid. Shred pork with 2 forks (this is my favorite part, its so tender!).

3. Return pork to Crock-Pot slow cooker. Add barbecue sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar and onion. Cover; cook on Low 2 hours or High 1 hour. Serve shredded pork on hamburger buns or hard rolls.

Source: Crock-Pot The Original Slow Cooker Recipe Collection

Easy Roasted Potatoes - Makes 2 servings, easily doubled or tripled.

Have it:

3 medium/large red potatoes, skin on
Onion powder

Paprika

Oregano

Pepper

Salt

Garlic Powder

Thyme

1/4 cup olive oil

Do it:

1. Clean potatoes. Cut into quarters or eighths. (The smaller the size the faster they will cook.) Place into a bowl and microwave for 4-5 minutes to soften.

2. Eyeball the spices, about a 1/2 teas. of each and mix in the olive oil. Toss the potatoes in the oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until cooked through.

Enjoy! Hearty, homecooked barbecue that's easy to make. Who knew?!