Fall is my favorite; what’s not to love? With the balmy weather starting to fade away and the anticipation of the holiday season swirling in the air, I can’t help but feel a little giddy inside. I especially adore the sweet transition from lighter summer fare to the more robust, soul-warming flavors of fall. However, the hearty stews, soups, and roasts we tend to associate with cooler weather usually take more time to prepare. And I don’t know about you, but this time of year also tends to be a much busier season where standing at the stove for 2 hours just doesn’t jive with my schedule or my energy levels.
All hail the slow cooker! This spiced pulled pork (which I was tempted to call 5 minute pulled pork) actualized out of an exhausted stupor. It was about bedtime (which my 5:45am wake-up call and I take very seriously) and, though my cozy bed was calling my name, I knew I would regret not putting something in the crockpot for the next day. (I usually crank it up at night, transfer it to the fridge upon waking, and heat it back up when I get home from work.) I considered what would be the LEAST amount of work to still reap delicious benefits. So, I cracked open the spice drawer, let it simmer while I slept, and the result was this tender pulled pork that evokes the essence of fall with every bite. You really can’t go wrong with it! I sandwiched some between two spinach tortillas with caramelized onions and queso fresco to make quesadillas, but you could get creative with pizza, pasta, even salad! ¡Buen provecho!
- 2½- 4 lbs pork shoulder
- ½ onion, quartered
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups broth (beef or chicken)
- Put all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork falls right off the bone. Drain any remaining liquid, but set some aside. Shred pork with 2 forks. Add in more liquid if needed. Enjoy on tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, pasta, pizza....or as is!
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