2010 Favorites

Dear reader,

With 55 posts this year, 2010 turned out to be a very productive one. In addition to my blog's first birthday, my husband and I have enjoyed a year of healthy, delicious, homemade meals and snacks. I hope a few of them have made their way into your kitchen too. Some of my highlights are below.


Favorite Soup(s) This Year:
it is a tie between

Beef and Barley Soup

the hearty beef and barley soup, and

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

the creamy roasted red pepper soup. (Clickable link below each picture)

Most Repeated Recipe This Year, in my own kitchen:

Empanadas

empanadas, which can be filled with virtually anything and are a lot more filling than one might expect.


Favorite Dessert:

Honey Banana Bread

since I've become a fan of less intense sweetness in my desserts, this honey banana bread is still one of my most delicious memories.

What are some of your favorites from 2010? What would you like to see more of in 2011?

I hope you all have a wonderful new year!

Cheers,
Ally

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches and some Superbowl snack ideas

I had a special request from Matt over at Farenell Photography for some Superbowl snack ideas. Every Sunday, we spend the evening over at our friends' house, and let me tell you, they are really serious about football games. Not only the game itself, but they always seem to have the perfect snacks for the group who ends up at their house. I hope this recipe makes them proud!

This is a recipe for pulled pork sandwiches using a slow cooker or crockpot, which means two things: it is insanely easy, and it is insanely good. An overuse of the word 'insanely'? Maybe. But in the name of delicious sandwiches, please forgive me.

This recipe is based on one from Savor the Thyme, one of my favorite food blogs!


Rub Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp paprika (I used smoked paprika)
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp whole cumin, or a little less if you're using ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp dry mustard
• 1 crushed up bouillon cube (any flavor; I used chicken) **
  
• 5-6 shakes of salt
• about 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

You'll Also Need...

• a 4-pound boneless cut of pork (I used a shoulder)
• 1 c. water
• 6-8 pack of Kaiser rolls **
  

** For a gluten-free diet, make sure to use gluten-free bouillon cubes, as well as bread made from a gluten-free starch, such as potato bread.

Directions

1. Mix all rub ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Rub spice mixture all over pork. Place in slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.
4. Shred with a fork if needed.
   
5. Serve on rolls with BBQ sauce or another of your favorite topping!

Comments
This was probably the most tender pork I've ever eaten in my entire life. And the easiest to make. Enough said.


Links
If you're looking for appetizers to snack on before or in addition to the pulled pork sandwiches, try some of these beauties:

• Mexican Layer Dip from Tasty Kitchen
  
• Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa from The Pioneer Woman
• A whole slew of Chex Mix recipes (I won't tell if you use generic cereal!)
• Another slow cooker recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip from Stephanie O'Dea (I've made a similar version without jalapenos - it's just as good)
• Cheddar Horseradish Dip from Coconut & Lime