Once upon a time (like, yesterday) I had a hefty hunk of pork, no time and no specific thing I wanted to make. But even with so little going for me, and so little inspiration (see, it happens to all of us), I did know one thing: A container of homemade shredded pork in the refrigerator means that there will be dinner later in the week and that my future frazzled self will look back on my current frazzled self and be grateful.
So I seared the pork, tossed in some garlic and chicken broth, and tossed the whole thing into the slow cooker for a while. For very little hands-on effort, I was richly rewarded. A delicious, tender, falling apart pork bathed in an equally delicious sauce. And it took just six ingredients — a number that includes the salt and pepper!
If you want a bit more flavor, you can throw in some branches of fresh oregano or other herbs when you add the chicken broth. A diced onion or can of diced tomatoes would be delightful, too. But hardly essential.
Now, what to do with this pork? Pile it high on buns for a pulled pork sandwich (and if you need more flavor, a squirt of any kind of barbecue sauce — Texas-style, Memphis-style, North-Carolina style, your choice — will tie it all together). Or go Asian by mixing in a bit of hoisin sauce and serve in lettuce wraps with some fresh ginger, mint and shredded carrot. It also would be great added to a stir-fry. Or do the taco or enchilada thing, or add it to a lasagna or some manicotti.
The options last as long as the pork does.
SIX-INGREDIENT SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK
Start to finish: 6 1/2 hours (30 minutes active)
Servings: 10
1 tablespoon olive oil
5- to 6-pound bone-in pork picnic shoulder, skin removed
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 garlic cloves, skin on
3 to 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock, plus more for drizzling
Nutrition information per serving: 260 calories; 90 calories from fat (35 percent of total calories); 10 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 110 mg cholesterol; 420 mg sodium; 2 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 38 g protein.
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