Monday, April 19, 2010

Spicy Pulled Pork


Yay, it's Tuesday, time for Mel and I to share our PW recipe with you all this week. I must say I am thoroughly enjoying cooking my way through this book. I pick it up almost daily just to flick through it and think about what I would cook next, or I wonder what Mel will chose next ;-) I hope you're enjoying our posts as we share with you the recipes we try.

This week I picked PW's Spicy Pulled Pork. I chose this because I had plans on making it the week earlier (as you will know by now from my previous posts about mother-in-laws birthday). I also made Ree's fresh pico de gallo and quacamole to go along with my 'Mexican' theme and I'm sharing those two recipes today because I know Mel doesn't eat either so she won't be making these if we picked them at a later date (if that makes sense?). . . .

So, first up the pico de gallo . . .

You can find PW's recipe HERE. She also shows you how to make the quacamole after the pico de gallo. This is simple enough to make but such a great blend of flavors, it is one of my favorite things to eat with tortilla chips. I used cilantro from my own garden so didn't have as much as I would have liked, and I only used half a jalapeno (Ree calls for 1 or 2)! My father-in-law liked mine better than store bought because that's usually too spicy and for some unknown reason he seems to have a wussy palate like me and can't stand the 'heat' ;-) I have to say it was the perfect amount of heat for me too.

Once you've made the pico de gallo you simply add a few spoonfuls to mashed up avocados. I love guacamole too and always prefer making my own with fresh avocados. As you can see from the above photo we'd already started devouring it before I got the camera out!

Spicy Pulled Pork. . . this was another simple dish to make, just blend the spices and oils together and rub in to the pork, then put in the oven for about 6 to 7 hours. As you can imagine this comes out super tender and shredded easily. I plated it like PW shows, with lime wedges (doesn't it look pretty?)

You can find this recipe too on Ree's cooking site, it's called Spicy Shredded Pork!

Verdict: It was all super delicious AND easy to make. My only criticism (if I must call it that) was that I couldn't taste any of the spices in the pork after it was made. I mean, it was tasty... but certainly not spicy. Would I make it again . . . a definite yes, the left overs could be used on sandwiches or put in the freezer. I loved it.

I'm linking this to Grace's TMTT and Jen's Tasty Tuesday. I hope you'll visit both of these lovely blogs and see some other great recipes.




16 comments:

knittinbrit_in_wi said...

I wonder if you made it in the Crock Pot and shredded it in the juices and spices once done cooking, if that would have helped the meat take on the flavor of the spices. Or maybe marinate it overnight before cooking...

Blondie's Journal said...

Everything in this post looks like a winner, Den!! I have only made BBQ pulled pork, so this would be fun.

Another great post!

xoxo
Jane

Melissa Miller said...

Yummy! I'm not kidding my mouth is watering looking at both dips you made. My favortes for sure!

I'm really enjoying reading about how you two are cooking your way through the cook book. This is so much fun to read about and see your critiques. :)

Its So Very Cheri said...

Hey its Cheri from Its So Very Cheri--I moved my blog to its own site come visit and you need to Re-Sign up to follow-Google swipes your followers so all my previous followers have to re-Sign up.

Cheri www.itssoverycheri.com
cheri@itssoverycheri.com

Melanie said...

I am glad that we both liked this. I can't wait for next weeks as I KNOW we are going to love the rolls:)

Cindy said...

Hi Denise, the recipes you made for MIL dinner look great. Michael and I love homemade pico de gallo and guaco,but he makes ours, the true Texan that he is, so I most likely will not change that. :) I think the key to pico de gallo is the cilantro. The more the better as far as I am concerned. :)

I've been making pulled porked for years, I use my crockpot, and it is a family favorite. But I did like how Ree uses the limes to garnish. Tucking that tidbit in my hat of tricks. :)

Hope your having a awesome Tuesday!
Hugs,
Cindy

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

Looks delicious! I've made pulled pork in the slow cooker, and my family loved it. I think one more yes from you and Melanie and that cookbook is mine!

FrouFrouBritches said...

YUM! I love pulled pork fajitas! That sounds good! I'll have to try that pico. It looks good too. I am a jalapeno wuss too.

Richella Parham said...

Yummy, yummy.

You know, I've only read PW a time or two. . . you're making me think I need to start reading her blog! And certainly I need to check out her recipes!

Thanks for sharing these!

Tasha Lehman said...

I'm gonna have to get the PW cookbook. I keep hearing everyone rave about it and I love her blog!

Darylynn said...

Yummy, Denise! I love pico de gallo and it'll be especially great with your homegrown tomatoes. We use serrano peppers rather than Jalapenos. Will have to check that out on the heat thermometer. I'm sure there's one out there. Will get back to you. (hugz)))

Darylynn said...

Here's a heat scale for peppers:

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Cooking-Tips--Techniques-642/chile-heat-scale.aspx

Kim said...

Wow - 3 delicious PW recipes in one post! The spicy shredded pork looks incredible. I bet it made the whole family happy:D

Southern Lady said...

Wow! They all look great! I can't take spicy foods either. I would not use 2 or 3 peppers. Thanks for sharing with us. I found out Ree is going to be in Charlotte soon on a book tour. I think I'll try to go and meet her. Wish me luck. Carla

Danna said...

Yum!!! I wish I could sample it through this computer screen... HUGS

Judy said...

Denise, Now I am starving, & it's 10:30pm! I 'love' pico de gallo & guacamole...I will not tell you how much I can eat of it. :-) But it rhymes with 'lots'. :-)

I am enjoying going through this cookbook for you. You have made me want to get it. What a great idea - to cook through a cookbook! Sad, but some I buy, I might cook a dozen (if that) recipes from it.

Loved your Sunday Musings! I think your new cut is great! I thought your hair was still long, but the short looks great on you.

Have a great day Denise. Sending big hugs!