BBQ PULLED PORK & BAKED BEANS

Both of these recipes are ones that I have been making for a few years.  I am still working on perfecting the beans.  I still think my beans are delicious, it's just they are not "perfect" yet.  Jake's dad (Bob) makes the best baked beans I have ever had in my whole life.  So, every time I make mine, I adjust the ingredients a little until hopefully, one day, they will be as good as Bob's.  This time I added some bacon, which I had never done before and let me tell you, it adds so much amazing flavor that cannot be accomplished by any other ingredient.  Let me know if you have any "secrets" to perfect baked beans!   Also, we like to use a pork loin for our pulled pork, because it is not as fatty as a pork shoulder, but you can use whatever type of pork you desire.  

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

From: Jenn

(Printable Recipe)

around 1 1/2 Lbs. pork loin

1/2 onion, cut into slices
1 tsp. minced garlic


Rub:
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 bay leaf
1/4 c. brown sugar
salt and pepper


Sauce:
1 c. apple cider vinegar
5 Tbl. Worcestershire
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Barbeque sauce, for later use


Put half the rub on the pork loin, cover tightly with saran wrap and let rest overnight in the refrigerator.  Add the other half of the rub in the morning before putting pork in crockpot.  Combine all of the sauce ingredients (except barbeque sauce), and pour about 3/4 into the crockpot.  Add about 1 cup of water, the onion slices and minced garlic.  Place pork into crockpot.  Spoon some juice over pork and place onion slices on top.  Cook on low 8-10 hours.  Refrigerate remaining sauce for later use.  When pork is done, remove from crockpot, discard juices and onion slices.  Mix about 1/4 cup barbeque sauce with reserved sauce mixture to make it a little creamy.  Shred the pork in the crockpot and add barbeque sauce mixture.  Cook on low another 1/2 hour or until warmed through.  Serve plain or on toasted hamburger buns.  Serves: 3-4 people.


Baked Beans
From: Jenn
(Printable Recipe)

1/4 - 1/2 Lb. sausage links, cut into small nuggets
5 strips of thick bacon
1/2 green or red pepper, chopped
1/2 med. onion, chopped
1 can Pork and Beans in tomato sauce
1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire
dash of liquid smoke
salt and pepper, to taste


Brown sausage in skillet.  Remove sausage and cook bacon in same skillet.  Spoon out excess grease.  Remove bacon and crumble; set aside  Saute the pepper and onion in same skillet. Again, spoon out excess grease.  Combine all ingredients in casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.  Serves: 3-4 people.