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A little effort goes a long way when it comes to flavorful slow-cooker recipes! With a knockout dry rub and a simple braising liquid, Chef Fabio builds a decadent, tender pulled pork that cooks while you sleep. Finish it off with a poached egg for the ultimate comfort food sandwich.







Cooking Tips:

--Slow cookers are ideal for cheaper cuts of meat! Save your money and splurge on flavor.

--The dry rub is important. Not only does it tenderize the pork, but it also infuses the meat with flavor.

--Cutting a large piece of meat into smaller pieces creates additional surface area for the spices to penetrate and ensures faster, even cooking.

--A bed of onions in the slow-cooker prevents the meat from sticking to the bottom and flavors the braising liquid.

--Batch cooking: This recipe makes a lot of pulled pork, so freeze in small portions what you aren't using immediately, and you'll be able to make another meal in minutes.





FABIO'S PULLED PORK

Recipe by Fabio Viviani

Yield: 6-8 servings of pork



Ingredients:

1/4 cup paprika

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons ground cumin

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon ground white pepper

2 teaspoons ground chipotle pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper



1 pork shoulder or butt (4-5 pounds), cut crosswise in half



2 large onions, sliced

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

Kosher salt



Method:

In a bowl large enough to hold the pork, combine the paprika, sugar, cumin, chili, oregano, and all the peppers. Thoroughly coat the pork with this dry rub.

Transfer the pork to a Baggie, add all the dry rub, coat the pork again briefly, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.

Cover the bottom of a slow cooker with half of the onions and garlic.

Add the water and vinegar, then the pork and a good pinch of salt. Top with the remaining onions, garlic, and a little more salt.

Cover and cook on low heat for about 12 hours.

When the pork is cooked, spoon out the liquid fat and shred the pork.



FABIO'S ULTIMATE PULLED PORK SANDWICH

Recipe by Fabio Viviani

Yield: 1 sandwich



Ingredients:

Red wine vinegar, as needed

1 large egg

1 brioche bun or your favorite type of bun, halved

Salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Extra virgin olive oil, as needed

Barbecue sauce to taste

Fabio's Pulled Pork (see above), as needed



Method:

Bring a small pan of water to a simmer. Add a small amount of vinegar.

Using a wooden spoon, swirl the water to create a vortex in the center of the pan. Crack the egg into a small bowl, then slide it into the vortex. Simmer the egg until it is cooked as you like it. Remove the egg with a slotted spoon; drain it briefly on a paper towel.

Heat a skillet over medium heat.

Season the inside of the bun with salt and pepper. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Toast the bun in the skillet, cut sides down, until golden.

Pile the pork on one half of the bun, top with poached egg, add a little barbecue sauce to the other half of the bun, and place it on top of the egg to close the sandwich.



MANGIA!



Like this recipe? Check out these other PORK RECIPES from "Chow Ciao!"

The Best Pork Chop You Ever Ate

Balsamic-Barbecue Baby Back Ribs