Double Duty Cooking: Crock Pot Carnitas & BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Today's post is all about pulling double duty.

 Not only is Day 1 a breeze to prepare since it is cooked mostly in the crock pot,

                             but on Day 2 it can be re-vamped for a totally different flavored meal!

My husband is Spanish and I am from the South,

 and these meals aim to please both of those different palates. 

You won't feel like you are eating leftovers, I promise!

Besides the obvious benefit to spending less time cooking in the kitchen,

 buying one large pork shoulder and serving it for two meals

 (plus possible leftovers depending on your family size) 

is economical on the grocery budget, too.

Here's what you'll need for Day 1:

                                                    3-5 lb pork shoulder or butt, boneless

1 can Dr Pepper (coke, root beer or diet versions will work, but DP is the top choice here)

Seasonings- Cumin, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder

2 T Butter

Avocado, diced

Tomato, diced

Red Onion ( if desired, we usually skip this)

Tortillas (store bought or my homemade recipe)

Rinse the meat and place it in crock pot, pour Dr Pepper over meat.

 Liberally season with spices listed, (I'm a eyeball it kinda gal so sorry there's no specifics here). 

Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. 

Remove from crock pot and using two forks (or a Kitchen-aid mixer) shred meat.

On an aluminum foil lined baking sheet spread about half of the meat so that it is mostly just one layer. 

Melt butter in microwave and drizzle over meat. Place into oven on Low Broil for 5-10 minutes 

( WATCH IT!!!)

 You want a little brown crispiness, but don't burn that precious juicy goodness!

Serve on warm tortillas with liberal toppings.

 I also like to season the avocado and tomatoes with a little salt & pepper. 

YUM!

Package remaining meat in tupperware for Day 2.

Here's what you'll need for Day 2:

                                                            Shredded Pork from Day 1

Favorite BBQ Sauce (we like Sweet Baby Ray's)

Hamburger Buns/Sandwich Rolls

Toppings of your choice- pickles, coleslaw, etc.

In a saucepan combine meat and sauce until thoroughly coated and cooked through. 

Serve it up with a side of broccoli salad and call dinner done!

Fondant Cake Class, Week 2

There was nothing to post about week 1 of my Fondant and Gum-paste class. Mainly because we just went over the basics and tools and didn't do any hands on work.

This week we were instructed to bring a cake already covered with fondant to class. Here's a picture of my 'blank slate' cake.

The color is actually not from food coloring, but from the Kool-Aid I used to flavor the butter cream icing and the fondant.We never had Kool-Aid growing up, so when I went to the store to buy some for this project I was amazed at all the flavor possibilities! I bought 'fruit punch' as a generic fruity flavor, but I will definitely have to try pink lemonade and wild cherry in the future. Mmmmm....tastes like a starburst candy!

Then during class we learned several different techniques including:

Draping

Embossing and Imprinting

We didn't really learn the flowers, put I needed something to tie it all together.

We also learned the about rolling the little balls and roping.

I think it kinda looks like a homage to superman with the red, blue and yellow...that wasn't on purpose, I just used the colors that I had and didn't think it through!

We also started the bases for carnations, put I don't have a picture.

Next week is all about 3-D flowers...can't wait!

I have a confession.....

.........I'm a sugar-holic.

I know, if you know me this is sooo hard to believe. I guess you already knew I had a problem, didn't you? You know, deep down I have known for quite sometime myself, I guess I have just been in denial......ahem......

...for the last ten years or so.

So to curb my cravings I always have sweets in the house, usually store-bought and easy to reach if a sugar crisis arises. But the last 6 months or so I have been obsessing quite regularly about cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. No....not just about eating them.....more often than not about making them. I think I am a reasonably good baker and a decorator who just needs to learn more skills.

Unfortunately I cannot consume all the goodies I would LOVE to try making and decorating all on my own. Roy is not a sweet-tooth unless you are serving pistachio pudding or brownies with nuts. That really limits my options for trying new things.

And although technically there are three members of our family....I just can't let the baby eat too many sweets...against my parenting rules from way back when I knew just how to raise a child. (i.e. before I had a tantrum toddler in my house who I would do almost anything to quiet)

So my dreams of fondant and butter cream are all crammed into my head these days, fueled by shows like 'Cake Boss' and 'Ultimate Cake-Off', as well as bakerella, Cake Journal, and oddly enough Cake Wrecks. My poor head is spinning and my mouth is constantly drooling at what could be. Every time I wake up at night I am thinking cake, cake, cake....it's CRAZY!

I really need to do something about this obsession, a friend of mine and I are planning on taking decorating classes this spring, and I have my mind set on trying to do an at-home business making cakes and cupcakes for all occasions. I just need to practice, practice, practice.....and learn how to get myself out there to gain business exposure.

But who will eat all my goodies-in-training?

hmmmm........???

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays to all! Here are some pictures of the sweet treats I have been working on this week in preparation, with a red velvet cake to come! Yum! I can't wait to spend the next few days relaxing with my family and enjoying their company while we indulge in food and gifts. May you all have a holiday just as sweet.