Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Last July in Philadelphia was the hottest in the city's history, with 21 days reaching 90 degrees or above, many reaching triple digits. This summer hasn't seen that number of 90+ degree days, but the days that do reach 90+ degrees feel unbearable. Those are the days when ice cream seems a very reasonable option for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. Or is that just be excessive love of ice cream talking? 

So, when you don't want to slave over a hot grill or stove-top, or heat up the house with the oven, what do you do? Dust off the crockpot! It's not just for winter comfort dishes, like pot roast, chili or stew.  

I had a 2-pound pork tenderloin, intending to use it for the Pesto Pork that I recently blogged, but forgot and used pork chops instead. Yeah, don't ask — I still don't know how that happened. So, I went in search of a new recipe, and discovered Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on Allrecipes. I always thought making pulled pork was labor-intensive, but thanks to a crock pot, this recipe is very easy. 

Pulled pork is a great summer alternative if you get bored with burgers or hot dogs. No need to stand outside in the heat at a grill, or a hot stove top. It easily serves a small crowd. Add cold pasta or tossed salad and a cold beer, and you have the perfect "too-hot-to-cook" meal. 

Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Adapted from AllRecipes.com
Serves 8

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless center cut pork loin
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 12 ounces root beer
• 18 ounces bottled or homemade barbecue sauce
• 8 hamburger buns, split and toasted

Directions

1. Season the pork with kosher salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle on the cayenne, paprika, and garlic powder. Place in your crock pot. 
2. Pour the root beer into the crockpot, and set temperature to low. Set timer for 5 ½ hours. 
3. After the timer goes off, remove pork to a cutting pork and use two forks to shred the pork. Drain the root beer from the crockpot. 
4. Place shredded pork back in crockpot, and pour in the barbecue sauce. Stir to combine. Set temperature to low, and cook for another 1 ½ hours. 
5. Spoon pork onto hamburger buns and serve.