recipe: slow-cooker pulled pork

my history with slow-cookers goes back about one year. i had wanted one for awhile, and thinking that they were expensive, when i saw one at a garage sale for $20 i snatched it up right away. for two reasons, it turns out i got majorly ripped off.  one, slow-cookers are really affordable! you can get a pretty good one in the $20-$40 range almost anywhere. and two, the slow-cooker i so quickly bought at the garage sale didn’t come with….a lid. how did i not notice that?

cut to this christmas, when my boyfriend’s mom gave me a slow-cooker for christmas (thanks, mrs. renzulli)! i was so excited about all of the new hassle-free meals and tender meat i would be cooking in this helpful little gadget.

i knew i wanted to start with pulled pork and this recipe does not disappoint. the pork comes out perfectly, and you feel as though you have slaved over the stove for hours; juicy, incredibly moist and so flavorful. my favorite toppings for this yummy meat served atop a nice fresh bun? coleslaw, caramelized onions and grated cheddar cheese. try it, you will love it!

all of the ingredients placed in the slow-cooker

the finished product (look at all of the juices!)

love these sandwiches so much..and there were leftovers for days!

recipe: slow-cooker pulled pork

serves 6

ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup bbq sauce
• 1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• coarse salt and ground pepper
• 3-pound boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
• 6 crusty rolls
• toppings of your choice

directions:

in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, stir together ketchup, bbq sauce, brown sugar, garlic, sage, apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cut pork in half lengthwise; add to slow cooker, turning to coat. cover, and cook on low until meat is  falling apart and easy to shred, about 8 hours (or on high for 6 hours).

skim off and discard any fat from the, and with two forks or a pair of tongs, pull the meat apart. place the pork in a serving bowl and serve with rolls and any toppings you like!