RECIPE: REC: ALTON BROWN'S PULLED PORK

RECIPE:

richard-in-cincy

Well-known member
I've had this in my "to do" file since I saw the "Q" episode. The recipe got so many 5 * reviews on the Food Network site, that it must be incredible (well, except for 1 obstreperous curmudgeon who gave it 1 * and kvetched about the brine, tsk tsk).

Pulled Pork Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Brine:

8 ounces or 3/4 cup molasses

12 ounces pickling salt

2 quarts bottled water

6 to 8 pound Boston butt

Rub:

1 teaspoon whole cumin seed

1 teaspoon whole fennel seed

1 teaspoon whole coriander

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon paprika

Combine molasses, pickling salt, and water in 6 quart Lexan. Add Boston butt making sure it is completely submerged in brine, cover, and let sit in refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours. 12 hours is ideal.

Place cumin seed, fennel seed, and coriander in food grinder and grind fine. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and stir in chili powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Remove Boston butt from brine and pat dry. Sift the rub evenly over the shoulder and then pat onto the meat making sure as much of the rub as possible adheres. More rub will adhere to the meat if you are wearing latex gloves during the application.

Preheat smoker to 210 degrees F. Place butt in smoker and cook for 10 to 12 hours, maintaining a temperature of 210 degrees F. Begin checking meat for doneness after 10 hours of cooking time. Use fork to check for doneness. Meat is done when it falls apart easily when pulling with a fork. Once done, remove from pot and set aside to rest for at least 1 hour. Pull meat apart with 2 forks and serve as sandwich with coleslaw and dressing as desired.

 
Well this is certainly an interesting recipe- Richard, why does it call for bottled water?

Why bottled instead of just tap water?

This looks like it would have a sensational flavor. I am going to borrow a smoker and try it.

 
Cathy, for the life of me, I cannot remember...

I watched this episode last summer and copied the recipe then I was moving some things around the garage this past weekend and stumbled upon the smoker, remembered this recipe, and pulled it back up in my recipe archives. I remember him using the bottled water, but... I'm sure there was a very good reason since all of Alton's recipes are so scientific. Probably something to do with impurities in tap water or some such. Anybody remember? Now I'm going to worry on it all night.

 
We smoked a pork butt a couple of weeks ago. 11 pounds x 12 hours. I've never...

...really cared for the "other" pulled pork recipe that was raved over on the other board. Made it once and went back to my own recipe.

I saw this episode of Alton's when traveling and wanted to notate the details. Thanks for posting this!

Michael

 
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