Asian-Style Pulled Pork, "Perfectly Seasoned" Cole Slaw and Homemade Potato Chips

Asian-Style Pulled Pork
Ingredients:

• 3 lb pork tenderloin (it was on a ridiculous sale and this cut worked perfectly)
• 5 C apple juice (you may need more depending on the size of your slow cooker)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green apple, cored and chopped
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 2 T canola oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 T garlic powder
• 1 T onion powder
• 1 T soy sauce
• 1 t balsamic vinegar (this tenderizes the meat)
• 1-2 t sesame oil (this can be found in the Asian food section of your supermarket...it has a highly concentrated flavor and aroma--don't spill it in your cupboard because it absorbs very quickly into the wood ;) )
• 1 t ginger
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 pinch red pepper flake
• salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown garlic in the canola oil. 
2. Add pepper flake and remove garlic from pan.
3. Liberally salt and pepper pork and place fat side down into the pan.
4. Sear each side and each end.
5. Place seared pork into a slow cooker.
6. Add 1 cup of apple juice to the pan to de-glaze and scrape the bits off the pan using a rubber spatula.
7. Add this to the slow cooker.
8. Mince the garlic and add to the slow cooker with remaining ingredients and stir to well combine, ensuring the pork is completely submerged.
9. Cook on high for at least five hours or until pork easily shreds with a fork.
10. Serve on a sesame roll with two slices of Muenster cheese.

"Perfectly Seasoned" Cole Slaw
I served this at two different dinner parties last week and my guests' palates could not be more different.  They each called it perfectly seasoned, so I decided I will too. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 C coleslaw mix with broccoli
• 1/2 C mayonnaise
• 1 T red wine vinegar
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1 t onion powder
• 1 t black and red pepper mix
• 1 t sesame seeds
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

Homemade Potato Chips 

1. Thinly slice 2 russet potatoes using a mandolin or the slicing side of a cheese grater.  
2. Rinse the potatoes with cold water in a strainer.  Pat dry the potato slices with a paper towel (be sure they are completely dry to avoid splattering).  
3. Fill a sauce pan with canola oil at least 2" deep over medium high heat and heat the oil  to 350 degrees.  Add the potatoes a handful at a time and be sure to not overcrowd your pan, as the temperature will come down and cause the potatoes to steam and stick , rather than fry to a crisp. 
4. Crack fresh sea salt and black pepper to taste.  

Sooo much better than the store bought kind and without the preservatives!

Pierogi

Pierogi Dough:

• 2 1/4 C all purpose flour
• 1 t salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature plus 2 whisked eggs for egg wash
• 1/2 C sour cream
• 10 T cubed butter, softened

1. In a large mixing bowl, add flour and salt 
2. Beat eggs and add to flour with sour cream and butter.
3. Combine all ingredients and knead the dough for 8 minutes (for best results, use your hands, though a food processor and dough hook can be utilized). 
4. Once the dough becomes unsticky, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.
5. Allow the pierogi dough to return to room temperature. 
6. Generously flour your rolling surface, rolling pin and dough. 
7. Roll out to between 1/8” and 1/4” thickness. 
8. Using a child’s cup or a small storage bowl dipped in flour, cut dough into small circles; re-knead the leftover edges and repeat. 
9. Roll out each circle to flatten, and brush with egg wash. 
10. Put a dollop (about 1 T) of filling (see recipes below) in the center of the rolled out circle and bring the edges together to make a semi circle. 
11. Using a fork, crimp the edges of the pierogi to create a seal.
12. Bring 5 quarts of water to a rolling boil and add a touch of salt. 
13. Place pierogi, six at a time, and boil for 30 seconds to a minute after they begin to float. 

Potato Cheese Filling:

• 3 medium size potatoes cut to 1" cubes
• 1 C ricotta cheese
• 1 T butter
• 2 T milk
• a pinch of nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Place cubed potatoes in a medium sauce pot and add water to just cover them.
2. Liberally salt the water and bring to a boil.
3. Cook until fork tender (about 10-12 minutes) and drain. 
4. Add potatoes to a food processor with 1 C ricotta cheese, 1T butter, 2 T milk, salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix until well combined. TIP:  A hand mixer or old fashioned potato masher can be utilized if you do not have a food processor.
   
   You may substitute farmer’s cheese, though I find that the ricotta cheese pairs perfectly with the slight tang the sour cream brings to the pierogi dough. The nutmeg brings a very subtle layer of flavor that is warm and festive.

Kapusta Filling:

• 1 T canola oil
• I package of bacon cut into thin strips (TIP:  freeze the bacon first for easy cutting)
• 1 small chopped vidalia onion
• 1 C fresh sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
• a liberal amount of fresh ground black pepper
• salt to taste

1. In a large sauté pan on a medium high heat, drizzle 1 T canola oil and add cubed bacon.
2. When the bacon becomes translucent, add 1 small chopped Vidalia onion, a pinch of salt and a generous amount of black pepper. 
3. When the bacon becomes crisp and the onions have softened, add 1 C fresh sauerkraut that has been drained and rinsed. 
4. Stir frequently for 2 minutes to combine all ingredients. 
5. Cover and reduce to low and simmer for at least 10 minutes.

You may serve the pierogi as boiled dumplings with drizzled butter, or fry them in a large fry pan with butter (with traditional pierogi, they are fried with butter and onions). Frying them makes for a wonderful crisp crust, and uses less butter than drizzling them.

Serve with kielbasa and some extra kapusta and a sour cream garnish. You may want to pop an antacid one hour prior to eating (yummy sometimes comes at a price for the non- prepared). ENJOY!