Brunswick Stew

The church I grew up in back in Georgia has a big BBQ luncheon every year.  They make some great BBQ pork and I get a few frozen packs of it from my parents.  I pretty much use it just for this recipe now.  The BBQ meat I use is already sauced but it's not necessary.  This is great year around but very nice in the winter for "warm me up" comfort food.

Brunswick Stew

1lb smoked pork, chopped

1lb smoked chicken, chopped

1 small onion chopped

16 oz bag frozen niblet corn

16 oz bag frozen baby limas

28 oz can of diced tomatoes

2 cans of chicken broth

1/2 bottle of ketchup

1/4 c cider vinegar
1/4 c Worcestershire
1/4 c brown sugar
salt/pepper

Saute onions in 1 T oil in large pot.  Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer for about 2 hrs.

BBQ Pork

I just love this recipe!!  Aside from just good ol' smoked BBQ, its the very best you can make at home.  The original recipe came from Paula Deen.  You can go here to see it.  The main change I made to it was that I cut back on the black pepper and cayenne pepper.  It was a little to spicy for me.  Also, I can't recommend enough having a good dutch oven.  I just finally got myself one a couple of years ago and I love it.   You could do this recipe in the crockpot but it just doesn't get that crust on the outside like it does in the oven and I don't think it gets as tender either.  My dutch oven is made by Lodge and my Mama got it for me for Christmas from Wal-Mart.  I think for $60 or $80.  Its great for the stove top too, for chilis and soups.  This BBQ meat is so good that it doesn't even really need sauce.... but we sauce anyway.  Favorite bottled BBQ sauce?  Right now I really like the Bull's Eye original and carolina style.  Go get you a pork butt and try this recipe!

BBQ Pork

3-4 lb pork shoulder roast

Rub:

2T salt

2T brown sugar

2T paprika

1T black pepper

1/4 t cayenne

Cooking Liquid:

2c apple juice

1c cider vinegar

2T Worcestshire

1/2 T liquid smoke

1/2 T garlic powder

Cover pork with very well with rub, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hrs or longer.  Place pork and cooking liquid in dutch oven, cover with lid, and cook at 325 for 4 hrs.  Shred meat and add some of the cooking liquid to the meat.

BBQ Chicken with Pickle Juice BBQ Sauce

Pickle juice?  Really?  Yea, why not?  Pickle juice is just sugar, vinegar, and spices all of which are in BBQ sauce.  So why not just use that leftover juice in the jar for something?  Actually this happened by trial when I was following a BBQ sauce recipe that called for lemon-lime soda and I didn't have any.  I think this recipe could be substituted with any soft drink flavor really and the ratios of the ingredients of course could be tweaked to your liking.  I need to find me a Carolina sauce recipe to try next.  Their BBQ sauces are very mustardy and delicious on chicken.

BBQ Chicken and Pickle Juice BBQ Sauce

4lbs of chicken pieces (my family loves just chicken legs which can be on sale soooo cheap!)

BBQ rub (any store bought brand you like will do)

1/2 c ketchup

1T mustard (I used spicy brown)

1 t Worcestershire sauce

1 t chopped garlic (finely chopped onion is good too)

2 T brown sugar

1/4 c sweet pickle juice (I use bread & butter)

Apply rub to chicken and allow to marinate for about 15mins or longer.  Combine remaining ingredients and microwave for about 1 min just till the brown sugar dissolves and sauce is heated through.  Grill chicken on direct medium heat (350) for about 10 mins.  Move to indirect heat for 20-30 mins turning occasionally but keeping lid closed as much as possible.  Brush with sauce repeatedly and cook an additional 10-15 mins until chicken is done.