BBQ Pulled Pork (With a Kick) and Spicy Coleslaw

I don't know why but I typically associate BBQ with summer, but this is a great recipe anytime of the year. The meat is so moist, it falls right off the bone. What I love so much about this recipe is the different flavor components. The savory, moist meat has a hint of sweat with a bit of spice woven through it. It is perfect for large crowds and you will have leftovers for days. Being from Oklahoma and now residing in Texas, we are raised eating BBQ and I think I am somewhat of a BBQ snob. We have made this recipe for years, but recently came across the addition of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and I think it takes it over the top. I truly love meat that has been smoked for hours, but not everyone has a smoker out back. This is a recipe that anyone can make and everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

1 large onion

1 bone-in pork shoulder (around 7 lbs)

2 bottles root beer

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 (11 oz) can chipotle Peppers in adobo sauce (found in hispanic isle of grocery store)

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce (about 20 oz) plus more if anyone prefers a little extra

Preheat oven to 300 °F. Let pork sit on counter for 30 minutes so the meat gets to room temperature before putting in the oven. Peel the onion and cut in to four pieces. Separate layers and lay on the bottom of a dutch oven or roasting pan. In a medium bowl mix root beer, sugar, and chipotle peppers until sugar is dissolved. Make several shallow slits in the fatty layer of the pork and place in dutch oven over onions with the fat side up. Pour root beer mixture over the top of the pork and generously season with salt and pepper. Place a tight fitting lid on top and place in the oven. Continue to baste meat every hour with the liquid in the bottom of the pot. Cook for around 7 hours or until meat is falling apart. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Remove meat and place on a cutting board. Use two forks to pull off and shred meat, discarding fat and bones. Heat up your favorite BBQ sauce in a sauce pan and pour over the meat carefully mixing together with the pork. My favorite BBQ sauce is Head Country which is made in Oklahoma and is what I grew up with, but you can use your favorite. Enjoy!!

Spicy Coleslaw

Ingredients

1 bag slaw mix

1/2 head red cabbage sliced thin

1-3 jalapenos chopped fine (according to desired heat)

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup mayonaise

1/4 cupcider vinegar

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Mix slaw, red cabbage, jalapenos, and cilantro in a large bowl. In a small bowl whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and cayenne until sugar is dissolved. Pour over slaw mix and toss well. Add the salt and pepper to taste and cover. Refrigerate about 30 minute before serving so the flavors can marry. You can make the dressing up ahead of time as well as the slaw, just don't put them together until about 30 minutes before.

Rum Cake

This cake has been in my family for years and was usually made during the Christmas holidays. I love making this and putting it in a beautiful tin to give as a gift, but it is great anytime of year! It is the most moist cake I have every had and is basically foolproof. It is simply delicious and a recipe that everyone should have in their repertoire.

Ingredients

cake

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1 box yellow cake mix

1 (3.4oz) package instant vanilla putting

4 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup dark rum

glaze

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup water

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup dark rum

Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts evenly over bottom of pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding. Mix in eggs, water, vegetable oil, and rum. Mix with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Pour batter over the chopped nuts. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. While the cake cools slightly, make the glaze by heating in a saucepan, butter, 1/4 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 cup rum. Poke holes in the cake with a skewer and pour glaze over cake while still in the pan. I know it looks like a lot but believe me it will soak it all up. When cake has cooled invert onto a cake stand and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy!!

Easy Chicken Tacos and Black Bean Salad

This healthy taco dish is not only easy to make, but so flavorful. I don't really call this cooking, but after making this over the holidays I realized it was something everyone can make when you are short on time. My sister raved about it and asked why I hadn't told her about it sooner. So here is my no brainer chicken tacos! You can use the leftover chicken for quesadillas, soup, breakfast tacos....etc. Serve with black bean salad. Recipe is below. Enjoy!

Ingredients

5-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 package taco seasoning

1 can chicken broth

Put broth and seasoning in crock-pot and mix until combined. Rinse and trim fat off of the chicken. Place in the crock-pot with seasoned broth and cook on low for 4-6 hours until chicken falls apart easily. Remove chicken and shred with two forks. How easy is that! Heat up corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or hard shell taco's and serve with desired toppings. I love chopped tomatoes, avocado, cheese, and cilantro, but you can use anything.

Black Bean Salad

1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 red pepper, chopped

1/2 small red onion chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl add all ingredients together and toss well. Best if refrigerated an hour before serving.

Bread Pudding

I'm not sure if there is any luck involved in this recipe, but we have made Bread Pudding New years Day for as long as I can remember. (It is way better than black eyed peas!) It is a great way to kick off the New Year and start your diet the day after.

It is rich and decedent and a perfect start to new beginnings!

Ingredients

1 loaf stale french bread cut into 1 inch cubes
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups milk
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
4 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter
3 eggs slightly beaten
2 Tablespoons vanilla
1 cup raisins
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour into buttered 9X9 baking dish. Place on middle rack of non-preheated oven. Bake at 350° F for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve warm with Whiskey Sauce.

Ingredients for Whiskey Sauce

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4-1/2 cup bourbon to taste

Cream butter and sugar over medium heat until all the butter is absorbed. Remove from heat and blend in egg yolk. Pour in bourbon gradually to your own taste, stirring constantly. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm over bread pudding.