One More Bite / January 2012 / Recipe: Chipotle Pork Sliders

Jan 12, 201212:36 AMOne More Bite

Recipe: Chipotle Pork Sliders

Traditionally a new year brings with it change. Change however is not  necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In reviewing the culinary trends for 2012, I have decided to re-work and make changes in the recipes that I offer according to these new trends. What are these trends you ask? Check back next month to see as we will visit them more fully in February. For now...Let the games begin! No not those games. Although 2012 is an Olympic year, the games to which I refer to are the NFL play-offs and Super Bowl mania.

With tail-gating and excessive celebrating, play-off party foods are just as important as the games themselves. Over the next few weeks leading up to the BIG game, I will offer a few tried and true "dude foods" from successful parties that I have hosted in the past.

Before we look at today's featured recipe, let's take a look at the field of contenders vying to be World Champions. With six of last years teams returning (three in each conference), including both Super Bowl teams (Green Bay and Pittsburgh), you might be quick to wager on a similar outcome. Hold on to your money though. Green Bay was not a top seed last year and by winning the game that mattered the most,  took with it all the bragging rights that are bestowed upon champions. Those vying to be crowned champions this year and prevent Green Bay from repeating are: Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers. While the odds are that Green Bay has what it takes to repeat, I'll gamble on the ponies and choose the Denver Broncos.

Much like the Denver Broncos, this week's feature of Chipotle Pork Sliders, provides you with a kick down the stretch. Containing five common ingredients found at most grocery stores, you won't have to call time-out to prepare a back-up plan. Seasoned with salt and pepper, covered with your favorite brand of chipotle sauce, slow cooked to perfection and topped with pickled red onions and bleu cheese make these tiny bites the perfect 4th down go to food. Enjoy with salt and vinegar chips and an ice cold beverage. S-C-O-R-E!

Ingredients:  1 - Pork Shoulder Roast - appprox. 5 lbs,  1 jar Chipotle sauce - brand of your choice, 8 oz. jar Bleu Cheese salad dressing - brand of your choice, 2 medium red onions - thinly sliced, 1 package of freshly prepared sesame seed dinner rolls, Kosher salt, pepper, 1 C. red wine vinegar, 12 black pepper corns.

Directions: (1)  Season roast with salt and pepper. Place into crockpot and cook on high for 6-8 hours. Meat is ready when it begins to separate and fall apart on its own. When ready to serve, drain off excess oil and fat. Shred meat with a fork (pulled pork). Cover meat with Chipotle sauce and lower heat to warm. (2) Prepare pickled red onions for topping by boiling onions, red wine vinegar and black pepper corns in a small sauce pan. (3) Assemble sandwiches. Place bleu cheese dressing on bottom of bun, place meat on next ,add a few onions and finish with top bun. That's it!

Recipe, Food styling and Photography by David Plowman, personal chef / owner Catering By Grace. He can be contacted at deplowman@gmail.com