BBQ Pork Ribs

Crock pot's are kings when it comes to getting the most delicious, tender, and moist meat. If my crock pot wasn't a pain to clean out, I would use it a lot more. Actually, come to think of it, it's not hard to clean at all. I just stuff it in the dishwasher and BOOM. It's clean. I think the real issue is that since crock pot meals are SO easy and require NO effort, I am lazy by the time that cleaning comes around. If the crock pot cooks itself, then shouldn't it clean itself and put itself away? Thought so. This recipe was delicious. Quite possibly the best BBQ ribs I have had. It would be in your best interest to make these asap. I am going to have to make them again too because Adam liked them so much, that I didn't get any leftovers. This recipe is from CivilizedCavemanCooking. Check it out.

Ingredients:

• 1 rack of pork short ribs
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 1 Tbsp pepper
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• Batch of Beasty BBQ Sauce

Instructions:

1. Combine all spices together in mixing bowl
2. Cut your rack of ribs in half, or thirds, so that each section will fit in the crock pot
3. Apply the spice rub generously to the ribs. I used the entire batch of spice rub. Tightly wrap the ribs in plastic wrap and place in fridge for at least 1 hour. I let mine sit for 1 day
4. Put 1/8 cup water in crock pot. Place ribs, bone side down in crock pot, stacking your sections
5. Set your crock pot on low for 8 hours
6. Around the 7th or 8th hour, pour in BBQ sauce ensuring that all layers of ribs get coated. Reserve some for dipping
7. Allow sauce to warm up in the crock pot, then enjoy!

*If you do not want to make your own BBQ sauce, buy your own - just be sure it has clean ingredients! I really like the brand Bone Suckin' Sauce. Squeaky clean.

Crock Pot Pork Loin

Ready for another super easy meal??? I really can't call this a recipe because there was no measuring, no thought, and no specific ingredients. You can really use any spices and veggies you like.

I have recently declared a new rule when it comes to food. ANYTHING left over in the fridge that is perishable (and honestly we don't have much that isn't perishable) will be tossed out on Sunday - even if it has not perished. This ensures that items don't get shoved to the back of the fridge where they can rot and this new rule causes me to be extremely precise in what I buy. I tend to be an impulse buyer and it's nice to be gaining some "control" over it! All of that to say that this recipe is a by product of me making sure I make the most out of my food and money - and it was delicious!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork loin (will have plenty left over for breakfast and lunch!)
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• left over bag of frozen okra (approx 1/2 lb) (feel free to use fresh!)
• Basil, Salt, and Pepper

Instructions:

1. Pull out your awesome crock pot and toss the chopped onion in
2. Season pork with basil, salt, and pepper and add to crock pot
3. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped zucchini and okra
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours

Now, this picture doesn't make the dish very appetizing, but trust me when I say it was wonderful! I even had it for lunch the next day, and breakfast the following day.

BBQ Crock Pot Chicken

This is yet another awesome recipe that I adapted from George over at Civilized Caveman Cooking. I am having another LONG week with work and need some fast meals. I was excited when I saw the George recently put up a crock pot recipe and I knew I had to try it. Another reason I wanted to do this is because I knew I would have lots of left over chicken that I could use in a dish later on in the week. Like I said - I need quick and easy this week! This recipe called for a whole chicken, but because of my work schedule, I decided I would go even simpler. At Publix I found a great deal on a whole chicken, already cut in pieces!!! I don't suppose it was an actual 'deal' as it was not on sale, but it was 4 lbs of chicken for less than $10!! In my book, that is a deal and you can't beat it! Plus, the chicken livers were packaged separately and I was able to throw them in the freezer for a later time. I couldn't resist trying a small bite this morning when I got it out of the crock pot and man, was it delicious! The dry rub was a perfect combination and will be awesome with the-best-paleo-bbq-sauce-ever.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken - or about 4 lbs of pieces
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Line the bottom of your crock pot with onions
2. Place the chicken in the crock pot, on top of onions
3. Combine all remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well
4. Using your hands, rub spice mixture all over chicken. Take your time and make sure you get all sides of chicken and don't miss a spot
5. Place lid on crock pot and cook on low for 7 hours or until done.
6. Remove the chicken and serve. It will fall off the bone!

I served this with Sweet Potato Salad! 

Crock Pot Roast Lettuce Wraps

It has been a while since I have busted out the trusty (and dusty) crock pot. I really should use it more - it's just kind of a pain to clean. That really isn't a reason not to use the crock pot because the fall apart meat that is the result of slow cooking is totally worth the time it takes to pour out the leftover juice and stick the pot in the dishwasher :) So really, I have no excuses. Especially when the final product is as delicious as this recipe. I loved the idea of lettuce wraps, but Adam choose to just pile the meat on top of the slaw and drizzled bbq sauce over it. I served this with sweet potato fries and baked asparagus! It was a yummy, and colorful meal!

Ingredients:

• 1 head of lettuce - I bought romaine, but any large leaf would do!

Everything in the crock pot!

For the roast:

• 2 lb roast
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 orange, juiced and zested
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• salt and pepper to taste

For the slaw:

• 1 head of purple cabbage, sliced thin
• 5 dill pickles, sliced thin
• 5 Tbsp yellow mustard (check ingredients!) 
• 2 Tbsp EVOO
• salt and pepper to taste

Shredded meat - ready to go in the lettuce boat!

Instructions:

*There is no particular order in which to do the crock pot part, but here is what I did : 

1. Put sliced onion in bottom of crock pot. Add veggie broth. 
2. Season roast with oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper
3. Add roast to crockpot
4. Zest the orange over the roast, then juice it over the roast
5. Juice the lime over the roast
6. Add smashed garlic to crock pot and place a few of the cloves on top of roast
7. Cook on low for 6-8 hours
8. Remove and shred with forks

For the slaw:

1. Combine all ingredients. This can be done when you turn on the crock pot (for full flavor!) or right before you serve the roast

Serve the roast, onion, and slaw in a lettuce leaf and enjoy!

Don't mind my starting-to-turn-brown lettuce :)