Quick and Easy Crock Pot Pork

This quick and easy Crock Pot Pork is so simple it's hardly a recipe. Better still, you get two suppers from the same pot, saving energy, saving time, and saving money. What's not to love?

I stumbled on this dish the day after a party when we had leftover white wine that had been open too long to drink. Since it had been a rather good party, I lacked energy to do much in the kitchen beyond plugging in the slow-cooker, so I dumped the wine on top of the pork, and Voila! About 6 hours later, deliciousness burst forth. It never occurred to me to take photos of the process, but the result is too good not to share.

Recipe: Quick and Easy Crock Pot Pork

The "quick" part refers to the amount of effort on your part. The slow-cooker needs at least 6 hours to do the rest. Adjust the amounts according to the size of your slow-cooker. I used my 4 quart oval which could easily handle another pound of meat. If your slow-cooker is larger and you don't want huge amounts of meat, throw in more root vegetables to fill the pot and ensure proper cooking. Because the heating elements in slow-cookers encircle the sides of the pot, you'll get better results by putting vegetables in first, then piling the meat on top of  them. 

Ingredients:
onions, peeled and quartered
carrots, peeled and quartered
potatoes, white or sweet, peeled and quartered
2 lbs., more or less, pork shoulder boneless ribs or other boneless cut
1 c. white wine, more or less

Spray slow-cooker pot with non-stick cooking spray. I prefer the olive-oil spray.
Place root vegetables in the pot. Sprinkle pork with salt & pepper, and place on top of vegetables.
Pour in white wine.
Cover and cook on Low setting at least 6 hours. Since this dish will have plenty of broth, it could easily simmer away for 8 - 10 hours, getting better every minute.

Before serving, set aside and refrigerate a  portion of the pork and most of the broth for Next Night Noodles, below.

Options:

> I like to turn the slow-cooker to the High setting for the first hour, particularly when cooking pork, just to get it up to safe temperatures as quickly as possible. Then I reduce it to Low for the rest of the day.

> Eliminate the potatoes and serve the pork and broth over rice, dressing or cornbread.

Read on for the recipe for "Next Night Noodles."




Recipe: Next Night Noodles

This may be a dish made from leftovers, but it tastes like something painstakingly made for company.
After being refrigerated overnight, the fat from the broth will have congealed in a solid layer on top of the broth. Remove it and discard or save for other uses.

Ingredients:
leftover pork and broth from Quick and Easy CrockPot Pork
whole grain flat noodles, linguine or any sort you prefer
a generous handful of fresh basil, chopped fine
walnuts, chopped
green onions, sliced
cooked bacon, broken up or crumbled, about half a slice per serving

Remove pork from broth and shred it, discarding any fat and gristle.
Cook the flat noodles in the broth, adding water as needed.

When noodles are al dente, remove and keep warm.
Return shredded meat to broth and boil to reduce liquid by half.
The broth should be very flavorful as it is, but taste for seasoning to be certain.

Pour hot broth and meat over noodles in serving dish.
Top with combined basil, walnuts and onions.
Garnish with bacon pieces and basil leaves.

Quick and Easy CrockPot Pork plus Next Night Noodles - Enjoy!