Pulled Pork

Pulled pork takes a bit of work but it is worth it. We spent the morning taking the whippets to the farmers' market so we started a little later than we wanted to.

We use Boston Butts and usually smoke two (they go quickly).

I am in charge of the rub which changes every time I make it. This time it is a mixture of kosher salt, brown sugar, different types of red pepper, white pepper, black pepper, chili powder, garlic, onion, and paprika. It gets rubbed all over the pork and is added to apple juice for the mop.
(Picture of the pork butts resting)
While the pork is resting--Steven builds the fire. Once it is ready-- the pork and smoking wood go in and then we wait. Usually fours with smoke and another 3-4 with the pork wrapped in a turkey roasting bag. While it is smoking with add the mop to the pork.


Once it is done-- it is incredible.

I usually make a couple of sauces to go with it.The finished product in a turkey roasting bag.

Shrimp and Scallops En Papillote

The foil packets in process

I have been busy working in my garden (not that you can tell from the number of weeds), cooking, and at work.

Tonight we are having make your own foil packets (you can also do this with parchment paper but foil is easier for our 11 year old to work with)

It is a really easy dinner (It takes a lot of chopping but I usually can talk Steven into that!) I love this dinner because you control the fat and the salt and everything else that goes into dinner. We have a rule that if you make a packet that is just disgusting that you have to eat the packet--- it keeps everyone from making gross packets.

A little bit of advance prep makes the process of putting the packets together easier

The foil packets for shrimp take 15 minutes and the bay scallops take 10 minutes to cook in a 450 F/ 232C/ Gas Mark 8 oven. Make sure you tightly close the foil packets.

I chop up an assortment of herbs-- thyme, basil, parsley, lemon grass, chives, and society garlic (yes all from my garden--despite the heat which in Tulsa is oppressive)

Next I chopped up tomato, pepper and onion

For liquids (you should add some sort of liquid to the packet)-- white wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, butter, and vodka (I love vodka with shrimp)

The packets are ready for the oven

For spice-- red curry and my entire spice cabinet

Mix and match the ingredients in the packets and TIGHTLY close the packet throw it in the oven and that is all there is to it.

We allow each family member to make at least one packet.

We serve over rice- tonight it was saffron rice.

A finished shrimp packet

It is always good and it is always different. Everyone gets to be a master chef.... what's not to love?

And clean up is sooo easy.

A finished scallop packet.