6/11/13 ChefElla's Pulled Pork Sandwich with Broccoli Slaw

CHEFELLA'S PULLED PORK SANDWICH WITH BROCCOLI SLAW.

It is finally warm, school is out, and I have plenty of time to play and cook.  When it gets warm out, I change how I cook, and oven is definite no, no.  The oven warms up the whole house and cooking in a hot kitchen on a hot day is just no fun.  My Dad is a good sport.  He would cook on the grill every night for us, but I do not want to stop cooking just because it is summer, so I help by using some of my own recipes for a summer dinner.  BBQ pulled pork, chicken or beef can take many, many hours to cook properly and that is why people usually go to a restaurant to eat it.  BBQ and braising are types of cooking that people use to make tough pieces of meat tender and tasty.  While my pulled pork does take a few hours to cook it does not take a lot of time to make, and it is great for a backyard picnic.  If you do not eat pork you can substitute beef or chicken in this recipe.  So give Dad the night off and enjoy.

For this recipe you will need to use the stove and a knife.  If you are not allowed to use the stove or a knife by yourself you can have a grown up help.

1. Wash your hands.

2. For this recipe you will need measuring cups, a rubber spatula, a small bowl, a large mixing bowl, a stand mixer with a paddle, a small whisk, a sauce pan, a knife and a cutting board.

Pulled Pork

Ingredients: (This recipe will make 8 servings.)

2 Lbs.    Boneless Pork Butt, Shoulder, or Stewing Meat.

1 Btl      BBQ Sauce 15-20oz.  

                -You can use whatever your favorite kind of BBQ sauce is your favorite.  If you do not

                  have a favorite kind of sauce I would recommend starting with a red or brown BBQ

                  sauce like a Kansas City style.  

1/2         Medium Red Onion, minced.
                -Minced is when you cut something into a small dice and then you chop down so that it is
                 in really small pieces.
8 each    Hamburger Buns or 16 slices of Texas Toast.
(Optional)  1 Cup Fresh Pineapple, Small Diced.  If you like sweet BBQ you can add pineapple.

3. Cut pork into 2 inch chunks.  Add pork to your sauce pan and mix with diced pineapple, minced
    onion and BBQ sauce.

4. Put pork on the stove and cook on medium / low heat.  Check the pork after 20 minutes.  The pork
    should simmer slowly, meaning you should see some bubbles coming up regularly.  If it is boiling, or
    rapidly simmering turn the heat down.  Cover and simmer for 2 hours.

5. After two hours turn off the stove, uncover the pork and let it sit for 15 minutes.

6. Pour BBQ pork into your stand mixing bowl.  Using the paddle attachment, turn your mixer onto
    speed one.  When the pork is shredded it is done.  Do not put the mixer on a higher speed.  If you do,
    you will be cleaning BBQ sauce off of everything in your kitchen for days.
    -Traditional pulled meats are shredded by using two forks to pull the meat apart.  This takes a lot of
      time, but if you want, you can try the two forks method.

7. Return the pulled pork to your sauce pan and when ready serve on texas toast (thick toasted bread) or
    a bun.

Broccoli Slaw

Ingredients: (This recipe will make 8-12 servings.)

12 oz.      Broccoli Slaw Mix

                -If you do not like broccoli slaw or cannot find it you can use 16 oz. of cole slaw mix.

1 each     Medium Red Pepper, Julienned

                -First, wash the pepper.  Second, cut off the top and bottom of the pepper and remove the ribs
                 and seeds.  Finally, cut the red pepper into thin strips.

1/2          Medium Red Onion, Julienned

                 -To julienne an onion, cut off the root and plant ends of the onion.  Place the onion on one of

                  the flat sides and then cut in half.  Remove the paper skin of the onion.  Place the onion with

                  its new flat side down.  It should look like a half moon on your cutting board.  Cut the onion

                  into thin strips by following the lines on the back of the onion.  If you cut the onion by

                  following the half moon side you will end up with onion half moons.  

Coleslaw Dressing

1 Tbl.     Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Tbl.     Sugar

1/ 2 tsp   Garlic Powder

1 tsp       Celery Salt

1 tsp       Salt

1 tsp       Black Pepper

1/2 Cup  Mayonnaise

                 -I use canola or olive oil mayonnaise because it has less calories then regular mayonnaise
                  and it tastes just as good.

8. In a large mixing bowl mix Broccoli Slaw, Red Pepper and Onion.

9. In a small mixing bowl mix add vinegar and spices.  Mix well until ingredients turn into a paste.

10. Add mayonnaise and mix until all the ingredients are blended.
      -If you use Miracle Whip or salad spread you can omit the sugar and vinegar.  Miracle Whip and
       salad spread already have vinegar and sugar in them.

11. If you like your coleslaw dry then use half of the dressing.  If not then add all of the dressing and
      mix well.

-Many people top their pulled pork with coleslaw.  It adds so many flavors to your sandwich and it is really good.  If you do not like your sandwich with coleslaw you can eat it separately.  You can also top your sandwich with cheese or extra BBQ sauce.  However you eat your BBQ enjoy your picnic and have a happy summer!!!

Enjoy

- ChefElla