Best Pork A La Steve Recipes

NORTH CAROLINA PULLED PORK

Steps:

• 1. If using the rub, combine the mild paprika, brown sugar, hot paprika, celery salt, garlic salt, dry mustard, pepper, onion powder, and salt in a bowl and toss with your fingers to mix. Wearing rubber or plastic gloves if desired, rub the spice mixture onto the pork shoulder on all sides, then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours, preferably 8.
• If not using the rub, generously season the pork all over with coarse (kosher or sea) salt and freshly ground black pepper; you can start cooking immediately.
• 2. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and place a drip pan in the center.
• If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high; when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.
• If using a charcoal grill, preheat the grill to medium-low and adjust the vents to obtain a temperature of 300°F.
• 3. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1 cup of the wood chips on the coals. Place the pork shoulder, fat side up, on the hot grate over the drip pan. Cover the grill and smoke cook the pork shoulder until fall-off-the-bone tender and the internal temperature on an instant-read meat thermometer reaches 195°F, 4 to 6 hours (the cooking time will depend on the size of the pork roast and the heat of the grill). If using charcoal, you'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side every hour and toss more wood chips on the fresh coals; add about 1/2 cup per side every time you replenish the coals. With gas, all you need to do is be sure that you start with a full tank of gas. If the pork begins to brown too much, drape a piece of aluminum foil loosely over it or lower the heat.
• 4. Transfer the pork roast to a cutting board, loosely tent it with aluminum foil, and let rest for 15 minutes.
• 5. Wearing heavy-duty rubber gloves if desired, pull off and discard any skin from the meat, then pull the pork into pieces, discarding any bones or fat. Using your fingertips or a fork, pull each piece of pork into shreds 1 to 2 inches long and 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. This requires time and patience, but a human touch is needed to achieve the perfect texture. If patience isn't one of your virtues, you can finely chop the pork with a cleaver (many respected North Carolina barbecue joints serve chopped 'cue). Transfer the shredded pork to a nonreactive roasting pan. Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the vinegar sauce, enough to keep the pork moist, then cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it on the grill for up to 30 minutes to keep warm.
• 6. To serve, mound the pulled pork on the hamburger buns and top with coleslaw. Let each person add more vinegar sauce to taste.

LEFTOVER PORK AND GRAVY STEW

Steps:

• In a crockpot place the onions, bell pepper on the bottom.
• Add the sweet potatoes, peas and canned tomatoes, sprinkle with the thyme and the hot sauce,tuck the bay leaf into the juices.
• Place the leftover pork roast on top and cover with the leftover gravy.
• Cook on low for about 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours.
• Just until the flavors are melded and the onions and bell peppers are cooked.
• Serve with hot crusty bread and a salad.
• This can be done on top of the stove or baked as a casserole also.

PURSLANE PORK STEW

Steps:

• Combine pork ribs, pork shoulder, water, and salt in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Uncover and increase heat to medium-high. Continue cooking and stirring constantly until all liquid has evaporated and pork has browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Combine onion, tomatillos, serrano peppers, and cilantro in a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until tomatillos are tender and have changed color, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer vegetable mixture to a blender; add garlic and and blend carefully until sauce is smooth.
• Pour sauce into the Dutch oven, season stew with salt and pepper, and simmer for 1 hour. Add purslane and simmer until pork is tender and purslane is soft, about 20 minutes more.