On our recent vacation to visit my family in the States, we went a bit barbecue-crazy!
We went hunting for all the best barbecue joints on our road trip to the Carolinas and northern parts of Florida – we even scouted out some Triple D joints! {Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives}
We found some great places, like this one in Georgia:
And some other not so great ones… {We won’t mention those… A clue when you’re approaching the restaurant in question – if it ain’t packed, keep moving!}
Basically, the ‘barbecue’ you find in the States, is not so much the method of cooking {like we have here in SA – a braai – and in Australia} but rather the flavour.
Barbecue has a smoky and usually sweet taste {although it doesn’t always have to be sweet} and is normally smoked.
You’d get anything from barbecue ribs to brisket to pulled pork and more {total drool!}…
{Pulled pork is when the pork has been slow-cooked or smoked and the meat can be pulled apart with a fork – creating fine strands of meat.}
I made these little pulled pork croquettes, using pork cooked in a slow-cooker with a smokey rub.
You will need:
{Yields about 15 croquettes}
2 cups of pulled pork {I used Bad Byron’s Butt Rub on a 2kg deboned picnic ham, slow-cooked in spicy vegetable stock}
UPDATE: You can also use the following to create your own rub: a ‘season all’ grind containing sea salt + smoked paprika + smoked chili flakes
1 cup of cooked and mashed butternut or pumpkin
1/4 cup ground almonds to dust the croquettes
15 small cubes of Swiss cheese
Coconut oil for shallow frying
This is so easy – simply mix the pulled pork with the butternut and roll into bite-sized balls.
Encase a cube of cheese into each ball and smooth again.
Dust with ground almonds and fry in your choice of oil until golden. {I’d recommend coconut oil.}
Voilà – serve with a sprinkle of freshly squeezed lemon juice and some pan-fried {in butter} asparagus.
Pulled pork croquettes are perfect as a cold snack too, or for little lunch boxes {big lunch boxes will love these too!} or a picnic.
Enjoy! X
Alexandra
January 16, 2015 at 6:27 pmSounds absolutely delicious – and so easy! I guess the secret is to have the ham and butternut cooked in advance so you can just whip them together.
Heidi
January 18, 2015 at 8:53 amHi Alexandra!
Yes, definitely – I guess it’s key ;)
If you make quite a large ham, there’ll definitely be leftovers – or if you plan on making these, just be sure to slow cook the ham in advance, even if it’s only for the croquettes. Especially if you need plenty for a party.
And seeing as they’re really scrummy cold / at room temp too, I’d say it’s the perfect make-ahead party food.
X