All the Fixin's To Go With It

I personally feel like growing up Southern has been a privilege. Things tend to move slower, the people are nicer, and everyone is always blessing your heart. I think the best part of growing up down here is the food. I can't get enough BBQ, corn bread, apple pie, and the list could go on. Jay and I had a couple of our friends over this weekend and I felt like trying out a new recipe. I had never made my own pulled pork before, and was a little ashamed to admit it, so who better to try a new recipe with than good friends? I went to Kroger and got a Boston Butt, with the bone in. Then I put it in the crock pot. Yes, I said crock pot. Two words my mother thought I would never say. She has been on me for years about using one of those, and since we got one for our wedding, why not?

 I chopped up a large onion and covered the bottom of the pot, then threw in the meat, and covered that with another large onion. Then I poured in one cup of ginger ale. Weird? I thought so too, but it ended up with a great taste. I let it cook on low for 12 hours just like that. After what felt like forever, I pulled the meat out of the pot so I could shred it. Now, when people talk about fall off the bone good, I know exactly what they are talking about. I couldn't for the life of me get the entire Butt to come out in one piece. I finally got all the pieces into a pyrex dish so I could start shredding the meat and discard of any of the fatty pieces that remained. I know I don't have any comparison since this was my first attempt at pulled pork, but this was the easiest part of all. After shredding all of the meat I drained the rest of liquid and onions into a strainer. Now, the recipe I found says that you should put all of those onions back in with the shredded meat. I HATE onions, and so does Jay. I think this may have been one of 5 times in my whole life I had chopped an onion. I refuse to cook with them unless I can discard them in cases like these. But, if you want to try this feel free to put them back in. I have never had Southern BBQ that had a bunch of onion, so maybe it's a Yankee thing!I cleaned out the pot, put all of the shredded meat in, and covered it with an 18 oz bottle of Jack Daniels BBQ sauce. Jack is a pretty good man when it comes to adult beverages, but he shouldn't be counted out of the BBQ sauce debate either! I let that sit on low for 2 hours, flipped it to warm and waited for everyone to make sandwiches. I just put out a bunch of hamburger buns. 

Typically, in our state, we just eat BBQ on a bun. Nothing fancy, no fixins, the meat typically speaks for itself. Saying that, I was in Vermont one time with my in-laws and my father in law ordered a pulled pork sandwich. I think ordering BBQ in Vermont is like ordering clam chowder in Atlanta, it just should be left to who knows it best. They brought it out on a bun with mustard, mayo, tomato and lettuce. I was just precious that they thought it should be served that way. Other states put slaw on theirs, but I'm a traditionalist! I think everyone liked it too, there wasn't a shred of pork left in that crock pot at the end of the night. My dad, who is pretty picky when it comes to BBQ loved it, and so did Jay. Jay wants to know when I'm making it again. Maybe next weekend? This is so easy, and know anyone who loves a pulled pork sandwich would love this recipe. And, it really couldn't get any easier!! By the way, we had people over to watch the SEC championship game, the only game that really matters in football (not that I'm biased...ok I definitely am...we rule!) What the heck happened to Georgia there? Can someone say roll over? Yikes! 

WAR EAGLE!