PULLED PORK? YES PLEASE!

In honor of Gramma T's 91st birthday, the Hodge family had themselves a hoedown with all the fixins including....barbecue pulled pork!  I love to make this dish because it involves so many of my favorite things to do in the kitchen, chopping, saucing and searing a huge chunk of meat...

We can only take credit for one two things in this recipe, smoked paprika in place of paprika, and an additional little pinch of espelette pepper, the rest is all thanks to the good folks at Williams Sonoma.

Ingredients:
1 Tbs. kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 Tbs. paprika
1 tsp. mustard powder
3 1/2 lb. boneless pork shoulder
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly smashed
1/4 cup tomato paste
3/4 cup cider vinegar
2 cups chicken broth
3 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
36 Parker House rolls, halved


We started with a seven pound pork butt (shoulder)

Pat her dry to ensure a proper sear

The recipe calls for a 3 1/2lb butt, so I bought the seven and split it in two

Made two rubs...following the recipe for one and instead of doubling it, made two

and make nice to your butt, rub the butt

Add some canola oil into the pots, medium high heat and wait for the ripples...then SEAR!

Side bar:  Searing, we have found is a very important, but

difficult commitment to make.  Let the oil in the pot get hot,

put the meat in and let it sizzle...DON"T TOUCH THE MEAT!

Wait two or three minutes, then turn and enjoy the sear!

Get the meat out and quickly get the onions, garlic and tomato paste in the pot.  Lots of smoke, but if you can't take the heat...you know

After about a minute, in goes the liquid, vinegar and broth to get the bits and pieces of your hard earned sear

Put the butt back in the pot, cover and in the oven for 3 hours @ 300, turning every hour

Two hours in...look at the separation of the meat from the bone...

After three plus hours, this little piggy need a rest...he's been through a lot

And then I bring in the muscle (Ashley) and the pig gets shredded

Make the sauce, and pork back in the pot

 

We bought a few types of rolls, here are the parker house, but I have to say that my favorite were the Labriola Pretzel Rolls...

Many more Gramma T!