Week 3- Meal #4 (Crockpot Balsamic Pork Roast & Sauteed Broccoli)

Every so often I see a piece of meat on sale and just randomly buy it.  I don't actually know that much about different cuts of meat.  If there is an old lady handy I'll ask her questions about the mystery sale meat but if not it goes into the cart and I figure it will work for something.  Things that do not really work from past mistakes in mystery meat buying #1- corned beef brisket is NOT the same as bbq brisket.  Not even close.  Oops.  #2- Pork roast and beef roast are very different things.  One makes a lovely pot roast.  One makes good BBQ.  They are not interchangeable.  Oops again.  Take note because if you try to use a beef roast for this recipe it is just not going to work out quite right...

• 2 pound boneless pork shoulder roast (sirloin roast)
• kosher salt, to taste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

 Season the pork with salt, garlic powder and red pepper flakes and place it into the slow cooker. Mix together the broth and vinegar and pour it over the pork, then pour the honey over and set the timer for 4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low.

Once the pork is cooked and tender (it should shred easily with a fork), remove from slow cooker with tongs into a serving dish. Break apart lightly with two forks and put back into the slow cooker and ladle 1/2 cup sauce over the pork and keep warm until ready to eat.

Seriously, that is all you do.  

Easy Sauteed Broccoli

 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 bunch broccoli, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in a large skillet of medium heat until fragrant and garlic begins to brown, about 30 seconds. Stir in broccoli and cook until the broccoli is bright green, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and season with salt and pepper and cook until just tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Serve.

Recipe courtesy of food network