Cuban Style Slow Roasted Pork

Picnic Roast can be fattier than a shoulder roast so I've been trying to find ways to cook it that make it irresistible. I typed "Picnic Roast" on Pinterest and came across this Cuban Pork recipe. Wowser! This is probably one of the best marinades I've ever tried. I wish I had the time to follow all the steps to the letter (i.e. marinade time, oven time to get it cooked and charred), but I settled for the good ole crockpot instead and it turned out great! I served with some rice and salad (with homemade Blue Cheese dressing). Definitely ruined my diet this weekend; I couldn't stop eating it! I think it was also extra good since it was from one of our farm raised hogs. :)

http://www.lordbyronskitchen.com/cuban-style-slow-roasted-marinated-pork/

Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Unfortunately, we don't have our own pork yet...just a few more weeks. This one came from Sprouts, but it turned out good. I browned it in the electric pressure cooker, then added brussel sprouts, onions and sweet potatoes. The sauce was amazing--sort of a sweet and tangy combination. The bonus was that we discovered brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes are MEANT for this recipe! Wow! So yummy and healthy and done in 45 minutes. :)

http://www.baconismagic.ca/canada/balsamic-pork-tenderloin/

Mama Schquigs Oven Baked Country-Style Pork Ribs

The hubby bought pork shoulder country style ribs--this was a new one for me. Of course Google didn't let me down. I really enjoyed reading Mama Schquigs blog as well as her methodology/recipe. We even use Sweet Baby Rays as our favorite BBQ sauce. Easy peasy. Serving it up with mashed potatoes, macaroni salad and cornbread. YUM!

http://mamaschquigs.blogspot.com/2012/02/oven-baked-ribs.html

Dr Pepper Ribs (Slow Cooker)

I had seen recipes for Dr. Pepper ribs and decided today was the day to cross it off my bucket list. So I thawed out some pork ribs, threw them in the crockpot and "wa-la", 6 hours later (on high), perfection! I (accidentally) omitted the brown suger, but in all honesty, don't think it needed it. What a wonderful 5 ingredient dish. Definitely one of my favorite (easy) crockpot meats. It would be a great idea for a party (such as Super Bowl.....).

http://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/2015/11/crock-pot-dr-pepper-ribs.html

Slow Cooker Apple Butter Pulled Pork

Last year, my hubby brought home 350+ apples that he and the teenager picked. After freezing some, creating many, many apple dishes, making applesauce, apple bbq sauce and apple butter, I'm finally down to a handful of jars of apple butter and bbq sauce. So I began to peruse Pinterest and came across this recipe. The hubby and I both agreed, it is possibly the best bbq pulled pork we've ever tasted. If you try any recipe that I have tried, this one is a MUST! So grateful to those cooks who are creative and post to the internet for people like me to try. :)

http://backtoherroots.com/2015/02/13/slow-cooker-apple-butter-pulled-pork/

Pork Roast and Sauerkraut Reubens

So-here's the other half of "his vs hers" dinner. It's almost embarrassing how easy this recipe was; literally just salt, pepper, sauerkraut and pork roast in the crockpot all day, then using rye bread (or pumpernickel), horseradish (or garlic cheddar) sliced cheese from the deli, thousand island and a panini maker made several day's worth of meals that the boys willing ate over and over. It was a huge hit....and again...can't believe such a simple meal kept the family satisfied for so long. Definitely need to find more recipes like that! :)

North Carolina Barbeque

I love trying new recipes and Jason loves the manager's specials at the grocery store so we make a great team--he buys the surprise foods and I get to figure out what to do with them :) So these blogs will essentially be my "recipe box" that I will share with you and retrieve for me later. I will highlight my favorites as "must-haves" and "keepers". Those will be the ones I will definitely make again.

I'm not a fancy blogger (with step-by-step photos, instructions, etc...). It will mostly be links to websites and pictures of recipes I snag from magazines/books. 

Today is from one of my "must-have" cookbooks. As a busy mom, wife and career woman, I consider the Crockpot to be one of my essential kitchen tools. I found the Fix It and Forget It Book for slow cookers and love it! It's especially great for those on a budget. Definitely worth the purchase. :) 

Since my hubby grew up on Virginia Beach and up and down the North Carolina coast, he requested North Carolina Barbeque today for the pork loin roast he bought. In the Crockpot now...can't wait for dinner!