Perfect Pulled Pork

 Boy, do I have a treat for you today!  I love pulled pork, and I can honestly say I've never had it before until a few months ago, when my husband and I were watching Diners, Drive-inns, and Dives on the food network channel and we fell in love.  We knew we had to try, we love pork, so pulled pork has got to be amazing.  So we did and, yes it was simply delicious.  Even the dog loved it!  It takes some preparation time but that's ok, all the work you put into it, is worth it.  Here's what you'll need:

For the dry rub:

• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground pepper
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

For the Brine Solution:

• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 qts cold water
• 3 tbsp dry rub mix
• 2 bay leaves

For the meat, you'll need a 5 to 7 lb pork shoulder with bone in, and a layer of fat on the bottom. Here's how you'll do this.  The night before you want to eat the pork, prepare the dry rub mix.  In a big pot prepare the brine solution and add the pork shoulder to the brine, throw in a couple bay leaves, cover the pot and put in the fridge over night.  

Next day early in the morning, take the meat out and pat it dry.  You'll need a big deep roasting pan.  Put the meat in the pan, and start rubbing in the dry rub all over the meat.  Make sure you put plenty of rub, and massage real well.  Now, you'll need a thermometer and you need to stick it in the thickest part of the meat, not touching the bone.  Place uncovered in a 225 degree oven on the middle rack.  It will take about 12 hours, but you need to be patient, the meat needs to get to 200 degrees.  Once it reaches 200 degrees, take it out of the oven and let it rest for another 1.5 to 2 hours.  

Now comes the fun part, using two large forks, begin pulling the meat apart. It will fall apart  easily and it should not take you long at all to pull apart this whole roast.  All that's left to do now is eat it, if you find you nix more flavor, you can add more of the dry mix over the pulled pork.  The meat is so tender and delicious. Enjoy!

McCormick Bbq Pulled Pork, 1.6-Ounce Units (Pack of 12)