We're Not In Kansas Anymore

I'm pretty sure my Kansas City family will be turning on their BBQ spits after they read this post, but I am not a BBQ afficianado. In Kansas City, BBQ is a religion. The family loves BBQ'd Pulled Pork sandwiches, so I slot it in occasionally.
The best thing about my BBQ'd Pulled Pork is how fast and easy it is, and I'm nothing if not fast! It takes NO time. I buy a pork butt or a shoulder, pop it into the crock pot with a cup of water and cook it on low all day. When I get home from work I heat up KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce, (sorry Uncle Tom!) and throw it in some whole wheat buns. I can tell you I use whole wheat buns because the family generally doesn't read my blog...otherwise they'd be spinning too! (They didn't even notice!)
Because it takes maybe 10 minutes tops to prepare this meal, I decided to do a trio of fries and cole slaw to accompany the meal. Everyone loves sweet potato fries, so I made those along with Yukon Gold and russets. You could use a food processor, but I wanted to cut by hand...for me, that's part of the pleasure of cooking, connecting with the food. It is the relaxing bit that I need...the time when I can listen to music and "debrief" my brain from all the clutter of the day.  
I still remember my Aunt Donna's BBQ brisket and I wish I still had the recipe! Cousins? Now all you need is some Kansas City jazz playing in the background!

BBQ'd Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pork shoulder or butt, 
1 cup of water
2 or 3 garlic cloves
salt, pepper

1. You could trim the fat of the pork if you choose, but I usually don't. After it cooks, the fat usually separates easily from the meat and I discard it. Since it's going to be cooking all day, I figure it'll keep the meat moister.
2. Put the pork in a crock pot with about a cup of water and garlic cloves.
3. Turn crock pot on low and cook 6-8 hours. (The turning on part seems like a no-brainer, but I once, did not cook a whole chicken, when I turned the crock pot on warm instead of low!)
4. Remove pork from crock pot, separating bones and fat, shred or "pull" the meat with 2 forks. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Heat BBQ sauce and add meat. 

I know deep frying is religion in the South, (now I'm offending my Southern friends) but the California girl in me, just can't wrap my healthy brain around deep fried stuff. Although, I am game to try a deep-fried turkey! I make my fries in the oven, easier and less fat!
Trio of Oven Baked Fries
Sweet potatoes, russet potatoes and Yukon Golds, cut julienne.
 a couple of tablespoons of olive oil
Greek seasoning (if you're one of the 20 people who received some!**) and/or 
Garlic powder, Lawery's season salt and/or kosher salt

1. Toss the fries with the seasonings and olive oil in a bowl until coated. 
2. Spread fries out on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 425* for about 15 minutes or until golden and crisp, or however you like them.

Cole slaw just seems to go with this meal. I usually pick up a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots in the salad area. The dressing is a snap, mayo, a bit of honey, cider vinegar and poppy seeds.
Cole Slaw
Packaged cole slaw mix
1/4 cup of mayo, (we like the Best Foods Olive Oil Mayo)
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper 
a couple of tablespoons of poppy seeds*

1. Whisk mayo, honey, vinegar and seasoning in a bowl.
2. Toss in cole slaw, mixing well to coat.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The flavors need to blend and wilt the cabbage a bit.

*Poppy seed disclaimer. I cooked breakfast and lunch, first Saturday of the month, for 8 years at our local homeless shelter, Union Station http://www.unionstationfoundation.org/. Union Station is a shelter for the homeless and those recovering from substance abuse.The Station received a lot of food donations from local restaurants. When we received poppy seed muffins, (delicious!) we were not allowed to serve them to the clientele. Poppy seeds, come from the poppy flower, which in turn is the same flower that produces heroin. Eating a poppy seed muffin can cause one to test positive on a drug test. Those of us who working those days would often go home with several poppy seed muffins.
** Vanessa and Ann, I sent everyone who commented on "Opa!", some Greek seasoning...But I need your info to send you both a jar. Please email me with last names and addresses! Thanks, Cynthia