Slow Cook Your Summer with Pulled Pork

Versatile Savory Favorite Inspires New Ideas

with “1,001 Plates of Pulled Pork” Facebook Contest

In the summer months, getting a delicious dinner on the table is still a priority — but spending hours over a hot stove definitely isn’t.  Home cooks seeking flavorful meals that require minimal effort and time in the kitchen should look no further than pulled pork, the ultimate summer meal solution.  And with the help of another kitchen ally, the slow cooker, pulled pork is a surprisingly easy preparation that cooks can simply walk away from, with the confidence that a delicious meal will be as good as ready when they return.

“Pulled pork’s irresistible flavor is reason enough to add it to the shopping list, but it’s also a great time-saver in the kitchen.  One batch of pulled pork provides delicious leftovers that can be served up in creative ways throughout the week. You won’t find a more versatile ingredient that you can cook once and enjoy so many times,” says Traci Rodemeyer, Director of Pork Information for the National Pork Board.  “As an added bonus, slow cookers keep kitchen temperatures down, and give cooks the freedom to enjoy the summertime with their families and friends.”

Pulled pork has seen a recent surge in popularity, as home cooks and chefs alike discover new ways to prepare and serve this savory favorite.  Quick-service restaurants like Subway, Quiznos, and, most recently, Burger King have added BBQ pulled pork sandwiches to their menus in the last year and, according to Google Insights, pulled pork recipe searches have more than doubled in the past four years.  Slow cookers have always been a favorite cooking method, but pulled pork preparation is as versatile as its flavor possibilities, running the gamut from the grill to the stovetop to the oven.  And it can be enjoyed in countless ways beyond the bun, like in tacos and stir-fries, or on salads, pizzas and more.

Versatile Family-Friendly Menus

Hungry for new favorites? Satisfy your craving with Latin-inspired Pulled Pork Tostadas with Slaw and Chipotle Cream, a bold combination of chili-rubbed pulled pork, bright cabbage slaw and chipotle-spiced sour cream.  Throughout the week, the leftover pork adds a kick of inspiration to family meals. For example:

• Soft Tacos: Turn leftover night into a fiesta with a do-it-yourself taco spread.  Fill warm tortillas with pulled pork and the toppings of your choice, like fresh veggies, guacamole, salsa, cheese and more.
• Fried Rice: In this quick, flavorful stir-fry, classic Americana meets Asia with a combination of leftover white or brown rice, pulled pork, diced veggies and a lightly beaten egg.
• Baked Potato: Elevate a standby side to a starring entrée with the addition of flavorful pulled pork.  Garnish with cheese and sour cream.

Let’s Count the Ways…

To inspire new favorites and showcase the nearly endless ways food lovers enjoy their pulled pork, the National Pork Board is hosting a Facebook contest, “1,001 Plates of Pulled Pork.”  Pulled pork fans across the country are encouraged to share their creative spins on this summer staple, for the chance to win $3,000 and to show off their passion for pulled pork.

Entering is easy: Between July 16 and August 10, “like” the National Pork Board on Facebook and share your favorite plate of pulled pork – whether it’s in your favorite sandwich, as a topping on fried rice or as a filling for DIY tacos – on the Contest tab at www.Facebook.com/PorkBeInspired.  Full recipes aren’t required, but photos are encouraged to bring the tasty creations to life.  One grand prize winner and two first prize winners will be selected and showcased at the end of the contest.  Read up on the official rules at www.Facebook.com/PorkBeInspired.

To get your creative juices flowing, here’s an inspirational pulled pork recipe courtesy of www.pork.org

Chili Rub Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 1/4 to 8 1/4 hours

1 3-pound boneless pork shoulder or sirloin roast
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 tablespoon canola oil or other neutral-flavored oil
1/2 cup chicken broth

Line a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with foil and place the pork in the pan.  In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, salt, and cayenne.  Rub the mixture over all sides of the meat, pressing it to adhere (if the meat is tied together with twine or netting, just rub the seasoning right over it). Set aside.  In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil.  Add the pork and brown on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the meat to a slow cooker.

Add the broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits.  Add the broth to the slow cooker, cover, and
cook until the pork is very tender, 6 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.  Transfer the meat to a cutting board and let rest 10 to 15 minutes. Use two forks to shred meat into bitesized pieces. Moisten/season with cooking juices to taste.  Makes 8 to 10 servings

Serving Suggestions: This recipe is only mildly spiced, so if you like things with a kick, try adding more cayenne to the rub or add some of your favorite hot sauce to the finished, shredded meat.  Use the pork to make a traditional pulled pork sandwich, with barbecue sauce and slaw, or enjoy it in your favorite chili recipe or on top of a Tex Mex Caesar salad.

Nutrition per serving: Calories: 240 Fat: 11g Saturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 90mg Sodium: 540mg Carbohydrate: 1g Protein: 32g Fiber: 1g

For more delicious inspiration, including additional mouthwatering pulled pork recipes, tips and more, visit www.PorkBeInspired.com.

“Like” the National Pork Board on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PorkBeinspired, follow on Twitter @allaboutpork and on Pinterest at www.Pinterest.com/PorkBeInspired

Source, images and recipe courtsy of: www.pork.org

I hope you are having a Porktastic Summer!  Thank you for reading Eatnlisten.com foodie blog.

Brad