The Pioneer Woman's Spicy Pulled Pork

I know what you're thinking. Another Pioneer Woman post, Heather? I can't help myself. Once I started cooking from her blog and her new cookbook, I can't stop! I haven't had one recipe come out badly.  Not only does she live in a neighboring state but she also makes good food, it's the food that I grew up eating only better.

This latest recipe comes from her cookbook. It was one of the first I wanted to make because I love pulled pork and I am always on the lookout for a good recipe to try.  So when I picked up a huge 8 lb pork shoulder for less than $13 at the grocery store, I knew this was going to be gracing my plate in no time.

The rub was pulled together very quickly in the food processor.  Naturally, being a Texan, I had the required chili powder, cumin, garlic, and onion in my pantry.  In fact, after I picked up the pork shoulder, I actually had everything to make it!  This rarely happens without me having to make another trip to the store since I invariably forget something.

I had considered trying this in the crockpot but my pork shoulder was WAY to big for my little 4 qt crockpot.  So into the oven it went!  And 7 hours later out came this....

I hadn't even attempted shredding yet.  It was that fall off the bone tender!

I had left shortly after the pork went into the oven so it was a big (but delicious) surprise to come home to such a fragrant apartment.  I could even smell this in my garage!  I briefly felt a little guilty for two little dogs who had to smell this all day but that lasted as long as it took to give them little nibbles.  Charlie gave it two paws up (and a nose and a tongue!) and Sugar (my mom's toy poodle...I mean my 4-legged sister who was visiting at the time) decided it was just about the best thing ever.

Look at the big pile of moist, juicy goodness!

I think the funnest thing about this was shredding the pork.  You could relieve a lot of stress as you shred.  As well as giving little dogs flying bits of pork.  Before long I had a huge pile of juicy, hot pork ready to go.  I went pretty simple and served mine in a tortilla with a little lime, cheese, and sour cream.

Muy delicioso!  I've had a lot of pulled pork in my time and this was by far the best.  It wasn't super spicy but it was just enough spice for me.  You may want to up the seasonings if you like it a little hotter.  I loved how tender and juicy the pork was even a day or two later.  The longer it sat, the better the flavors mingled and developed.  This would be great served at any big gathering you have since it makes a ton of meat! In fact, I ended up freezing almost all of it for later.  The rest I used to make burritos for dinner or to take to work for lunch.

To make this mouthwatering pulled pork, run over to the bookstore (or log onto Amazon) and pick up a copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks right now!  You can also seen a version of the recipe at Ree's blog.  There may be slight difference in them...I'm not sure.  I used the version in the book.  And it was divine!