Super Tasty Roast Rub

I've used pork and beef sirloin and they're always so delicious and moist! I LOVE the leftovers, the little there is. My husband and kids (especially the 1 and 3 year old AND my super picky 6 year old) LOVE it. No joke it's da bomb. I like to throw potatoes (scrubbed, stabbed and wrapped in foil) in the oven with it and steam a veggie. So good! I'm excited to try it on my next chicken. I tweaked a recipe I found on allrecipes. Makes a 3 lb roast.

Super Tasty Roast Rub

2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried sage
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 lb pork sirloin roast, beef sirloin or whole chicken

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Mix paprika, salt, garlic powder, pepper, oregano, thyme, sage and olive oil in small bowl. Let sit 5 minutes so spices can soak up oil (it spreads better this way). Place roast or chicken in baking dish; rub spice mixture over entire surface area, getting under the skin for a whole chicken.
2. Bake in preheated oven. Check for doneness at one hour. Serve warm.

* For beef, once thermometer reads between 145 and 160, depending on desired doneness, take out and place foil over it like a tent and let rest 10 minutes.

* For pork, remove once meat   thermometer inserted in center reads 155 (takes about 1 hour 20            minutes in my oven, but may vary); remove and place foil over top like a tent. Let sit 10                      minutes, until thermometer in center reads at least 160.

* For chicken thermometer should read 165. Let rest, also, 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.

Slow Cooked Kalua Pig

I have been to Hawai'i a handful of times and each time I hit a luau just for the delicious kalua pig (a pig they cover in banana leaves and slow cook underground). YUM. This is delicious and done at home in the slow cooker. Not exactly the same thing, but good enough for this mainlander. :) Super easy, super awesome. I served with long rice and fresh pineapple and my husband and kids RAVED. Serves 12.

Slow Cooked Kalua Pig

1 6-lb pork butt or shoulder roast
1 1/2 Tbsp salt*
1 Tbsp liquid smoke flavoring
1 banana, optional

1. Pierce pork all over with carving fork. Rub salt then liquid smoke over the meat. Place roast in slow cooker. Wash banana ad cut in half lengthwise (WHILE IN THE PEEL), if using. Place both halves (banana is still in peel, mind you), banana side down, on top of roast.
2. Cover and cook on low for 16 to 20 hours, turning once during cooking time.
3. An hour before serving, remove banana; discard. Shred meat and continue to cook on low. Serve warm.

* You can spend money on Hawai'ian black salt but I don't know that there's enough difference for the price.

Puerto Rican Shredded Pork

I found this beauty in one of my issues of Better Homes and Gardens. It didn't smell great (oj with pork?) but it was soooooo delicious as taco meat! I sprinkled cheese on a couple corn tortillas, added some meat and microwaved 30 seconds to melt the cheese and soften the tortillas (I would've spread some refried beans first if I had some). Then topped with sour cream and salsa or pico de gallo. mmmmmmmm...drooling here. Serves 4-6.

Puerto Rican Shredded Pork

2-3 lb pork boneless sirloin roast, trimmed and tied with twine if necessary
1 Tbsp olive oil
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp cumin
1/2 Tbsp coarse salt
1 tsp dried oregano
4 oranges, juiced or 1 c orange juice
4 limes, juiced or 1/2 c lime juice

1. Cut 4-5 holes in pork with sharp knife; stuff with half the crushed garlic. Warm oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and brown on all sides, 6-8 minutes. Place in slow cooker, upside down (sounds weird but trust me here).
2. Combine remaining ingredients in blender and blend 3-5 seconds until evenly combined. Pour liquid mixture over pork and let marinade 10 minutes. Flip roast over. Cook 8 hours on low.
3. Remove pork from slow cooker; set aside. Remove 1 cup liquid; set aside then pour remaining liquid down the drain. Return pork and 1 c liquid, shred pork and continue to cook 20 to 30 minutes longer. Just enough time to set the table and get your fixings ready.

Serve in lettuce wraps or corn tortillas. Top with pico de gallo, chopped cilantro and avocado.

Slow Cooked Carnitas

This meat was so good. SO good. My husband made noises and raved through the whole meal. I served them on corn tortillas with a diced sweet onion, diced cilantro, and lime juice mixture. DELISH! I used a Boston butt roast, which is awesome because it's tender and falls apart easily. You could serve this with burritos, tamales, tortas, by itself...served with guacamole, salsa, refried beans, lime juice...OR add your favorite barbecue sauce and serve on buns. The possibilities are endless! The leftovers are still amazing. You won't be disappointed. Serves 8.

Slow Cooked Carnitas

1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano flakes
1 tsp ground coriander
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 4-lb boneless pork shoulder roast
2 bay leaves
2 c chicken broth

1. In a medium bowl, add salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, coriander and cinnamon; mix well. Stab pork with fork or sharp knife, making various punctures throughout all sides. Coat pork with spice mixture, patting it on well.
2. Place bay leaves on bottom of slow cooker. Place pork roast on top, sprinkling any remaining seasoning mixture on top. Pour chicken broth around sides of pork, trying not to rinse off any spices.
3. Cover and cook on Low 8 to 12 hours. Remove from pot and shred with forks. Use meat juice to keep meat moist as needed. Serve immediately.

Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast

I love slow cooked meals on Sundays. We're gone all afternoon, and nothing is better than coming home to such a heavenly aroma. This roast is full of flavor and will not disappoint. Serve over a bed of rice (I added a tsp of chicken bullion powder per cup of water to add flavor to rice and it was amazing) or a bed of buttered noodles. I like to add my favorite bbque sauce to the leftovers, heated it up, and served on homemade buns. It makes DELICIOUS pork sandwiches. My kids loved the meat! Mmmm....Serves 6.

Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast

1 medium onion, sliced
1 2 1/2-lb boneless pork loin roast
1 c hot water
1/4 c sugar
4 Tbsp red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 dash hot pepper sauce, or to taste

1. Arrange onion slices evenly over bottom of slow cooker. Place the roast on top; cut 5 to 10 slits on top of roast to allow flavor to seep in.
2. In medium mixing bowl, combine water, sugar vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, pepper, salt, garlic, and hot sauce. Pour mixture over roast.
3. Cover pot and cook on Low 6 to 8 hours, or on High 3 to 4 hours.

Slow Cooked Roast Beef and Potatoes

When I first saw this I was hesitant to try it. Especially after seeing the brown sugar. But it was SO. GOOD. I wanted to eat the whole roast myself, and I actually wanted to eat cooked carrots, which is a momentous occasion. :) It's easy and serves a lot, as well. Enjoy this one!

Crock Pot Roast Beef and Potatoes

1 (4-lb) beef sirloin or pork roast*
garlic salt
1/3 c packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cram of mushroom soup
1 (1-oz) packet onion soup mix
1 c beef broth
5 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1" pieces
6 red potatoes or medium russets, scrubbed and quartered

1. Place the roast in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with garlic salt.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and broth; pour over the roast.
3. Add the carrots and/or potatoes to the slow cooker if it is large enough to hold them.
4. Cook on high heat 5 of 6 hours on high heat, or 10 to 12 hours on high heat.

If you choose not to add the carrots or potatoes, then two alternate side dishes are mashed potatoes and a green salad.

* use less fatty beef, and trim off any fat you see, to lower fat content