The warm (40 degree, does that count as warm?) spring air has me dreaming of all things summer including white sand beaches, tropical fruit and palm trees. Hold up, that is my dream of being in Hawaii, not Iowa. Let’s try that again, cornfields, hot and humid sunny days, green grass and splash pads (not beaches). Close enough, right?
We took in the much needed sun and mud today, getting our hands and feet dirty for the first time this year. It was fantastic, pure bliss. The sparkle in my three-year olds eyes as she dug in the messy mud and stomped her feet in every puddle that she saw was joy. Who doesn’t love a little earth mashed through their fingers.
It was all fun and games until we had to come in for the day. Exhaustion, hunger and dirt combined into one horrific melt-down. The only thing keeping me sane was the delicious, drool worthy scent coming from the kitchen. With a smile on my face (only because supper was sizzling away in the slow cooker) I managed to help her get control of her tired body again as we headed to the kitchen for a warm, yet summery dish.
Sweet and savory, this Hawaiian pulled pork recipe is hard to beat. With sauteed pineapple atop buttery cauliflower rice, this is everything these tired bodies needed to finish off one spectacular day. Easy to prep and even easier to eat.
May I say, Aloha from the countryside of Iowa!
- 1 20oz can crushed pineapple
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 boneless pork butt or shoulder, fat cap scored (about 3 pounds)
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker except for the fresh pineapple and butter.
- Mix all ingredients together in slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or on low 6-7 hours until pork is cooked through.
- After pork is finished, heat a skillet on medium and melt butter.
- Place pineapple slices into pan and caramelize both sides.
- Remove slices and cut into smaller pieces.
- As pineapple slices are caramelizing, pull pork out of slow cooker and shred using two forks.
- Use a spoon to remove some of the crushed pineapple and juices from the slow cooker and mix with the shredded pork.
- Plate with your favorite side and top with caramelized pineapple.
