My cooking changes with the seasons. Simpler, cooler in summer, heavier, long cooking and simmering soups and stews in winter. One exception is pulled or chopped pork. We live in a high rise, with a strict local fire code, barbecue grills are verboten. I love slow cooked pork. So even in the heat of summer, it is one thing I will cook low and slow for hours.
Start with a cheap cut of pork, Boston but, or pork shoulder, my local mega mart recently had these on sale for 97-cents a pound. The one I bought was just shy of 4 pounds. I use a dry rub, a mix of spice and brown sugar. Salt, peper, a touch of cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, and a little smoked paprika. Generously coat the pork with the dry rub, place in a heavy pan (I have an enameled cast iron dutch oven.) Put a little liquid in the bottom of the pan, shy of a 1/4 inch, apple cider would be good, I used red vermouth because that was what was handy. Cover tightly, and place in a slow oven, 225-250 degrees fahrenheit, 100-105C. And leave it, 4 to 10 hours. When it is done, it will fall apart when you stick a fork into it and twist.
Serve with your favorite sauce. A taste of summer.
That's very similar to the pulled pork SG makes. SO delicious. As you can probably imagine, MY cooking doesn't change with the seasons. I continue to boil water for tea in the identical way.
ReplyDeleteYou could use a different kettle to boil the water in,
DeleteI love that idea. A summer kettle and a winter kettle!
DeleteI love this time of year....it means all fresh local produce starts. I don't even shop the grocery for things. The jersey blueberries and asparagus is in and it's been tasty. I agree about summer cooking. Its either all outdoor grilling or a all vegetarian diet for me when the heat hits.
ReplyDeleteI should stop at the farmers market in the morning,
DeleteAssuming a barbeque grill is what we just call a barbeque, you are not allowed to use one on your balcony?
ReplyDeleteFire regulations, no gas or charcoal, condo regulations, no cooking on the balcony.
DeleteWe usually go the cold food ay in Summer because we love to eat outside on the deck and a hot meal doesn't work that way.
ReplyDeleteBut, that recipe you gave, cooked, pulled, shredded, for tacos with cool greens and veggies sounds dee-lish. We're off to the market now and I'm looking for pork shoulder.
Glad I inspired you
DeleteThere are so many things you can do with slow cooked pork! It's good year round food.
ReplyDeleteIt is very versatile,
DeleteMmmmmm, sounds good!
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you are coming, I will make plenty
DeleteThis is Balder Half's time of year for cooking. Never come between a man and his grill. I learned the hard way. Took me two days to get that big ol' fork out of my head! I love summer fruits. I crave watermelon and jello, not at the same time of course. I cook pork in the crockpot this time of year because it doesn't heat up the kitchen. Actually (warning, tmi zone) just give me half a watermelon and nekkidity and I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteA warm hosing off when you are done if the melon is really good?
DeleteOh, honey, that has to be done after eating popcorn!
DeleteYour post made my mouth water! I cook seasonal foods too. Once summer begins, I don't buy asparagus any more.
ReplyDeleteTomatoes, local tomatoes will be in soon
DeleteI have several dishes and food reserved for the summer time. Some of them I could eat at other times but that would not be proper.
ReplyDelete