May 28, 2010

Nothing Beats This Classic American Summer Sandwich

Laura in her charming studio in the Boardwalk

Foodie


Foodie Crib

Downtown Grand Rapids

Gig

Meteorologist for WOOD TV

Foodie Morsles

I walked into Laura's studio condo in the Boardwalk on Monroe Avenue and I was suddenly transported back to my single days living in my first apartment in Chicago. Oh, the freedom of enjoying one's abode without any children's
shoes to trip on and a bazillion pieces of "stuff"to clean up. It's just you and you only. Laura told me that she always wanted to have black cupboards and appliances, and upon viewing this condo, she knew she was destined to occupy it. The previous owner built a wooden loft above the kitchen which instantly added a cabin-like charm to the place.

Behind the celebrity persona associated with her career is a well grounded person with deep roots in West Michigan. Her mother presented her with a binder with all of her favorite recipes. What a fantastic present, I thought. Laura is an avid cook with a host of Italian favorites. Given her passion for home cooked meals, her magnetic smile and drop dead resemblance to Giada De Laurentiis, I can see her pursuing a career switch from the weather green screen to tossing micro greens for Food Network

On the day of our dinner, the weather was sunny and in the high 80's. Laura couldn't resist the calling for pulled pork sandwiches, a classic American summer sandwich. Laura's friends, Bri and Marie, completed our foursome barbecue dinner. We shared glasses of malbec and riesling's. We traded war stories on phobias, cooking, travel, and of course, we had to talk about the weather.  


Laura's Pulled Pork BBQ

*Pork Shoulder (3-4 lbs)
*1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
*1/2 cup Mustard
*1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar
*1/2 cup Brown Sugar
*1 1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
*1 1/4 t. Pepper
*1/2 t. Salt
*1/2 t. Hot Sauce
Combine (except pork) and heat in a saucepan until thickened...about 20 minutes.

Cook pork shoulder in a slow cooker for about 6 to 8 hours on high. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and drain fat. Pull pork into pieces and add back to slow cooker (on low). Then add sauce. Heat in slow cooker for 10 to 20 minutes and serve. Serve on whole wheat buns for a great BBQ sandwich.

Laura's pulled pork bbq sandwich. It was so delicious I couldn't 
resist a second serving.
A priceless gift

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