Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork - a lot of people like it but don't know how to make it if they do not have a smoker.  I do have a smoker but many times I also use the oven. Sometime I used both! 

Pulled Pork

Pork Butt Roast - about 5 Lbs
Dry  Rub  - I use  DAVIS DUST
beer

For smokers -  I use wood chips from Jack Daniels Whiskey Barrels - it does add a certain something - you use what ever you normally use. Just make sure that you soak the chip in water for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Follow the directions on your smoker.  You want the heat at a constant 225 for at least 12 hours.

For Ovens - preheat to 425 -  have one rack just under the center rack with a drip pan.  Place the rubbed pork on the center rack so it is right over the drip pan.  After 10 minutes, turn the temp to 225 and walk away.  come back in 12 hours.  Do Not turn the meat or fuss with it!  Just let it cook
V E R Y S L O W L Y. 

For both methods - the meat is done if you can pull the bone out with out any meat sticking to it. Let the meat rest for a bout 30 minutes under some foil . Then start pulling the meat with tow forks or my hand.  You will be shredding the meat.  Once that is all done use it any way you want.  There are some great recipes in my cook book for pulled pork.

By The Way -- The beer - is for drinking while you wait.  ;o) 

Herbs

In most of the Northern Hemisphere you should be able to plant some herbs now. After years of planting in the raised bed, this year I am planting in a strawberry pot.  It has several smaller niches for herbs that I only use once in while and a large opening for  others.  Word of warning - Parsley will take over your garden!  That is another reason I am not planting it in the flower beds. Once the herbs come up I will post some pictures.  But I do encourage you to grow the herbs you use.  Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Thyme and Oregano all do well in a strawberry pot.

Fresh herbs are wonderful to have on hand.  Try i t- you may just find out that you can grow them indoors too.

Banana Cake

One of my favorite deserts in the Spring and Summer is a very simple Banana Cake.  This is what I do.

Whether you use a cake mix or a scratch recipe for a yellow cake, take 2 - 3 very ripe bananas and mash them up. You should end up with about a cup of banana puree.  Add this to your wet ingredients before you combine.  Just mix in and don't over mix.  Then just bake as usual.  I always use two round cake pans - be sure to prepare them with oil and flour or a good spray.

When the cake is cool I use whipped cream to ice the cake and also add some sliced banana pieces in the center that I dipped in lemon juice.  You can add some to the top along with some ripe strawberries.  Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes before you serve.

(For really good whipped cream I add powdered sugar and a good vanilla.)

I hope you enjoy this recipe.