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Cream Cheese Smoked Salmon Spread

By 48 Comments

After making this recipe for cream cheese smoked salmon spread you’ll never purchase it from the store again … ever. Simple ingredients, and simple to make. Perfect appetizer for any type of party. A perfect appetizer for Wine tasting parties.

In the past, whenever I was feeling wealthy, I’d pick up a small tub of  Whole Foods Smoked Salmon Spread. Always a treat and considered an indulgence.

But thanks to Larry over at Big Dude’s Eclectic Ramblings, I can have my cake and eat it too with this delicious recipe for smoked salmon spread.  His recipe for cream cheese smoked salmon spread yielded twice the amount for less than half the cost.

How To Make Smoked Salmon Spread With Cream Cheese

With softened cream cheese, this comes together in a jif. And everyone who tried it at our party, took the time to comment on how good it was. Although Larry smoked his own salmon for this recipe, I just picked up a package of smoked salmon at the grocery store. 

Can you imagine how good it would be if you took the time to smoke your own? Let’s take a look at how to make this recipe for salmon spread.

  • All you need is 8 ounces of smoked salmon. Just pick up your favorite brand next time you’re at the store.
  • Let an 8 ounce package of cream cheese come to room temperature.
  • In a bowl add the cream cheese and 8 ounces of sour cream. Blend the two together.
  • Add two tablespoons fine diced onions. Shallots would be good here also.
  • Add some flavoring: 1 tablespoon lemon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce.
  • Drain but don’t rinse 4 Tablespoons of capers. Chop them up a bit.
  • Add 1 ½ – 2 teaspoons of dried dill.
  • This is better if allowed to rest overnight.
  • Save a few capers to decorate the top and serve with your favorite cracker.

What Goes With Salmon Spread?

I happen to favor a good-ol’ Ritz Cracker. But here are some other ways to answer your question of what to serve with salmon spread:

  • Water Crackers. They have less flavor which lets the flavor of the salmon spread shine.
  • Endive leaves. Just separate the leaves from a head of endive. Rinse and pat dry and add them to your platter with the salmon spread in the middle.
  • Sturdy dip-able veggies. Carrot strips, celery sticks, thick sliced cucumbers and even sugar snap peas.
  • Crostini. Just slice a French baguette and brush both sides with oil. Place the bread slices on a sheet pan and broil each side until lightly toasted. This should take less than a minute per side. Watch them closely so they don’t burn.
  • Bagels, of course!
  • Rye Crisp Crackers make for an interesting flavor combo and a nice texture. Triscuit crackers are always a good choice.

Recipe for Cream Cheese Smoked Salmon Spread

I hope you give this make ahead smoked salmon spread recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And if you have a favorite smoked salmon appetizer recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.

If you’re a smoked salmon fan, don’t miss my article on how to arrange and make a Smoked Salmon Platter. A super easy and popular appetizer.

And if you’re looking for even more appetizer recipe ideas, don’t miss my Appetizer Category. You’ll find tons of ideas. And the most popular appetizer recipe on my site, Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini. You gotta try that one.

More Appetizer Spreads

If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

Smoked salmon spread served with a cracker.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Cream Cheese Smoked Salmon Spread

Once you try this recipe, you’ll never buy store bought again.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 125kcal
Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces smoked salmon
  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 8 ounces sour cream
  • 2 Tablespoon finely diced onion
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 4 Tablespoons roughly chopped capers drained but unrinsed
  • 1 ½ – 2 teaspoons dried dill weed

Instructions

  • Mix all together, let set over night and adjust for flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 481mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 303IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg

Cream Cheese Smoked Salmon Spread …It’s What’s For A Party!

Old Fashioned Sunday Pot Roast Dinner With Gravy

By 44 Comments

This is a recipe for classic old fashioned Sunday Pot Roast Dinner, including a recipe for roast beef gravy. Cooking vegetables, traditionally potatoes and carrots, makes this is a complete dinner in one pot.

And speaking of classic old fashioned comfort food dinners, don’t miss my recipe for Pan Fried Chicken with Homemade Fried Chicken Gravy.

Old fashioned pot roast on a platter with potatoes and carrots.

What You Can Expect From This Old Fashioned Pot Roast Recipe

When we talk about the comfort food we love as adults, the conversation most always turns to meals we loved as a child.

Every Sunday before church, my mom would put a pot roast in the oven so when we’d return our Sunday Pot Roast dinner was ready to serve. The only thing left to complete the meal was to prepare the pot roast gravy.

Hearty, savory, homey, and so comforting, this old fashioned method to make pot roast will warm your heart.

Watching my mom make our traditional Sunday dinner roast all of those years, it was most certainly the first recipe I made once I was married, and in my own kitchen. And I’ve been making it the same way my mom did for 40 years.

This is an easy no-full recipe with only a couple rules for success.

  • Flouring and searing the meat.
  • And cutting the carrots and potatoes in uniform pieces to insure even cooking.

Once in the oven, you’ll have a couple of hours of hands off time. Once the meat is fall apart tender, the roast beef gravy is quick and easy to make.

Let’s take a look at our family’s Sunday Dinner Roast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients to make a pot roast dinner.
  • Beef Chuck Roast: A chuck roast is a primal cut that comes from the shoulder. It’s famous for it’s rich beefy flavor and is ideal for slow roasting. It’s a traditional choice for this pot roast dinner. It’s easily found in the supermarket meat cases. You can also use a bottom round rump roast or a sirloin tip roast.
  • Potatoes: Yukon Gold Potatoes are a medium starch potato which means they’re sturdier and will hold up better with the long slow cooking time required for the pot roast. Russet potatoes can be used, but with their high starch content, they can be prone to breaking down during the long cooking process. Save russets for Baked Potatoes.

Oven roasting is one of the simplest cooking methods. Because of using a lower temperature it requires little attention, and become a “set it and forget it” dinner. This Sunday Pot Roast Dinner with potatoes, carrots and gravy is simple, old-fashioned perfection. Grab a chuck roast and let’s get started.

Step by Step Ingredients – How To Make Pot Roast Dinner With Vegetables

Flouring a chuck roast to make pot roast dinner.
  1. Step 1: Season and flour the pot roast. Lay the chuck roast on a platter. Salt and pepper both sides of the meat, then generously flour. I even like to gently rub the flour into the meat to make sure I’m completely coating the roast.
Searing roast beef to make pot roast dinner.
Placing chopped carrots and potatoes around chuck roast to make pot roast dinner.
  1. Step 2: Sear: A very important step is to sear the meat. Heat 3 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large Dutch oven. I use my 7-quart Le Creuset. You can also use an old fashioned roasting pan, like this Granite Ware brand. I love these and wish I had the one my mom used. Sear the meat on each side until well browned. This will take about 5 minutes per side, depending on how hot your pan is. Place the roast in the oven, uncovered, and cook at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 3: Add the vegetables. Turn the oven temperature down to 325 degrees. Sprinkle chopped carrots and potatoes around the roast. Add 2 cups of water, cover and it’s ready for the oven.

Pro Tip: Don't skip searing the meat. This is a crucial step in getting the most flavor out of this meal. Searing creates what is technically called Maillard reaction. Maillard reaction is the process where a crust is created. Simply stated, it's responsible for the complex flavors and aroma that makes bread taste toasty, and a grilled or seared burger taste charred. It's a technique that brings science to your cooking skills.

When the roast is fall apart tender, remove from oven and place on a plate. Tent with foil while you make the gravy.

Old Fashioned Pot roast dinner with carrots and potatoes.

Ingredients to Make Roast Beef Gravy

Ingredients to make pot roast beef gravy.
  • You’ll add beef broth to the pan drippings to equal two cups.
  • Flour and butter will make the roux
  • Worestershire sauce to add some savory flavor.

How to Make Roast Beef Gravy, It’s Easy

Before you start: Pour any drippings from the pan into a Pyrex measuring up. Add enough beef broth to equal 2 cups. There are times when there is no liquid left in the roasting pan. I use one 14.5 ounce can of beef broth and add enough water to make 2 cups.

Adding butter to pan to make roast beef gravy.
Making post roast gravy for pot roast dinner.
  1. Step 1: Add the fat: Place the pot stove top over medium low heat. Add the butter. As the butter is melting, use a spatula to scrape those beef bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. They add so much flavor to the roast beef gravy.
  2. Step 2: Make the Roux: Once the butter melts, add the flour and cook, stirring constantly. Cook for 3 minutes to allow the raw flour flavor to cook out. Watch it close, so it doesn’t burn, you simply want a golden color.
Making pot roast gravy stove top.
  1. Step 3: Add the liquid: Add the beef broth/drippings mixture and the Worcestershire. Stir over medium low heat for about 5 minutes. The pot roast gravy will thicken beautifully.

Tips For Success

  • When searing the meat, make sure the oil is hot enough that the meat sizzles when it hits the oil.
  • You’ll know when the meat is ready to turn when it easily releases from the pan. Use a meat fork to spear the meat, and don’t try to force turn. The meat will let you know when it’s brown by easily releasing.
  • I like using Yukon Gold potatoes for this pot roast dinner. Not only for their medium starch texture, but they also don’t need to be peeled. Simply wash, cut away any bad spots and chop.

Questions You May Have

What’s The Best Pot Roast Seasoning?

Salt and pepper. The cuts of beef used to make pot roast are traditionally rich with beefy flavor. Let that flavor shine with a simple seasoning. Some people season with Montreal Steak Seasoning, which adds a garlic component. I never have.

How Long Does Pot Roast Take To Cook?

Depending on the size of the roast, plan for up to three hours.

How Do You Know When Pot Roast Is Done.

All you need to do is check the roast using a meat fork. Pull on the the edge of the roast and if the meat easily separates, it’s done. Officially that means it’s reached a temperature of around 200 degrees which causes the marbled fat to melt.

Variations

  • In addition to carrots and potatoes, you can also add wide sliced onions or frozen pearl onions. Large chopped celery is also a common vegetable for this one pot dinner.
  • Add a glug or two of red wine to the gravy once it’s thickened.

Storage

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. For best results, I recommend storing the gravy separately. This allows you to pour it over the leftovers when reheating, keeping the pot roast moist and flavorful.
  • If you'd like to freeze the leftovers, use freezer-safe containers, and they'll stay fresh for up to three months. Be sure to let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • When it's time to reheat, the 50% power setting on your microwave works perfectly for dense dishes like pot roast. Add a little gravy to each individual serving and heat in 30-second intervals at 50% power until warmed through.

Pot Roast Dinner Sides

Since potatoes and carrots are cooked in the roaster with the pot roast, it’s somewhat of a complete dinner. However, green beans make an excellent side dish for pot roast. Take a look at my recipe for Brown Sugar Green Beans with Bacon which I routinely serve to make a complete dinner.

Pot Roast Dinner Recipe

I hope you give this old fashioned roast beef with gravy recipe a try. Sunday Pot Roast for dinner is a timeless American comfort food meal that the family will love.

More Roast Beef Dinner Recipes

And if you’re looking for more beef dinner recipes, don’t miss my Beef Category. You’ll find a ton of terrific recipes. Including the most popular on my site for Beef Tagliata. A super easy popular Italian steak recipe.

If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

Pot roast dinner with potatoes, carrots and gravy.
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Sunday Pot Roast Dinner With Potatoes Carrots and Gravy

Good Old Fashioned Sunday Pot Roast Dinner. Compete with carrots and potatoes and pot roast gravy.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Main Course Beef
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 468kcal
Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons Neutral Oil Avocado, vegetable or canola work well here.
  • 2-3 pounds Beef Chuck Pot Roast I look for a weight towards 3 pounds.
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Fresh ground black Pepper
  • 1 cup water or beef broth
  • 3-4 Cups Carrots washed, peeled, cut into chunks. About 4 good sized carrots
  • 3-4 Cups Yukon Gold Potatoes Cut into chunks
  • TO MAKE THE BEEF GRAVY
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter
  • 4 Tablespoons All purpose flour
  • 2 Cups Liquid from the pot roast Add beef broth if needed to make 2 cups
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  • Sprinkle the chuck roast with salt and pepper and dust with flour, covering the entire pot roast.
  • Heat a Dutch oven over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the roast. The oil should be hot enough that the meat sizzles when it hits the pan.
  • Brown the roast on two sides. About 5 minutes per side.
  • Place the seared roast beef in the roasting pan uncovered. Cook the roast at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
  • Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees.
  • Add the water or broth and sprinkle the vegetables around the meat.
  • Cover and oven roast for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until meat is fall apart tender. Check the meat about half way through cooking time to see if more water needs to be added. Add up to one to 1 ½ cups.
  • Use a meat fork and large spoon to remove the pot roast and the vegetables to a serving platter. Cover with foil to keep warm.
  • Pour the drippings/liquid from the roasting pan into a Pyrex measuring cup. Add enough beef broth or water to equal two cups of liquid. Many times, my Le Creuset Dutch Oven is so heavy duty that there's no liquid left at the end of the cooking time. Use one 14.5 ounce can of beef broth and add a little water to make 2 cups.
  • Heat the Dutch oven over medium heat stove top. Add the butter to the Dutch oven. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and stir over medium low heat making a roux.
  • To serve, simply transfer roast to a serving platter and arrange vegetables around the roast. Serve the gravy in a gravy boat on the side.
  • Cook for about 3 minutes to cook the raw flour flavor out of the roux, stirring to dislodge any brown bits that have stuck to the bottom. That's what makes a better gravy. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn. Add the beef stock and Worcestershire and and stir until thickened. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.

Notes

Tips For Success
  • When searing the meat, make sure the oil is hot enough that the meat sizzles when it hits the oil.
  • You’ll know when the meat is ready to turn when it easily releases from the pan. Use a meat fork to spear the meat, and don’t try to force turn. The meat will let you know when it’s property seared by easily releasing from the pan.
  • I like using Yukon Gold potatoes for this pot roast dinner. Not only for their medium starch texture, but they also don’t need to be peeled. Simply wash, cut away any bad spots and chop.

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 1495mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 13607IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 9mg

Sunday Roast Beef with Gravy …It’s What’s For Sunday Dinner.

Spicy Homemade Pimento Cheese Recipe Without Cream Cheese

By 28 Comments

Chipotle peppers kick up this recipe for homemade Pimento Cheese Spread. Using shredded sharp cheddar cheeses, this is a Pimento Cheese recipe without cream cheese. Serve this classic cheese spread with crackers, crostini or celery.

If you’re looking for more easy cheese-y appetizer spreads, don’t miss my recipe for Cream Cheese Chicken Dip. It’s amazingly easy and amazingly delish.

Smoky Pimento cheese spread in ramekin with Ritz crackers.

What To Expect From This Recipe

Looking for a great little cracker and spread idea to impress your party guests this weekend? This Spicy Pimento Cheese may just be the ticket.

There was a time many years ago that my experience with Pimento Cheese Spread was limited to a product from a jar at the supermarket. Upon a visit to a now shuttered Southern themed restaurant in Denver, my eyes were opened to “real” Pimento Cheese Spread.

I thoroughly researched recipes to make this treat in my own kitchen and settled on a recipe where grated cheese was used and to my pleasant surprise a recipe for Pimento Cheese without Cream Cheese. Pimento cheese spread, in it’s pure form is made with grated cheeses, pimento peppers and mayonnaise. Cream cheese is not a classic ingredient.

The recipe was so good, and so easy, there’s really no reason to purchase jarred brands again.

A friend of mine made a Pimento Cheese Spread recipe with Chipotle Chile Peppers. My spicy Southwestern soul knew this would be my favorite version.

With its hearty flavor that includes a subtle smoky heat, I think you’ll love the spicy twist on the original recipe.

Simply served with crackers, this is my go to recipe when I need a quick fix appetizer. It’s a great recipe for any type of football gathering, wine night pot-luck and I even like serving it as a warm-up appetizer for a Chili Dinner with friends. 

If you’d like to learn more about the history of Pimento Cheese spread, I like this article from Serious Eats. It appears it’s not really a Southern invention after all.

Let’s take a look.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients to make spicy pimento cheese spread.

Ingredient Notes Of Interest

  • I like using both White and Yellow Sharp Cheddar Cheeses. it gives pimento cheese spread a more interesting texture of color.
  • Roasted Red Bell Pepper: Choose the largest roasted pepper from the olive bar at your local Supermarket.
  • Chipotle Pepper in Adobo: Chipotles, which are smoked jalapeno peppers will give this Pimento Cheese Spread smoky spicy notes of flavor.
  • Pimento Peppers: Purchase chopped jarred at the Supermarket.


Step by Step Instructions, It’s Easy

Grating cheese to make spicy pimento cheese spread.
Chopped peppers to make spicy pimento cheese spread.
  • Step 1: Use the large holes of your box grater to grate the two sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Step 2: Pimento peppers come in a jar and will already be chopped, but you’ll need to drain them well. Use a sharp knife to slit the Chipotle Peppers in Adobo down the side. Use the back of the knife to scrape out the seeds and veins. Then chop the peppers. Chop the roasted bell peppers in small pieces.
Adding all ingredients to a bowl to make spicy pimento cheese spread.
Mixing all ingredients together to make spicy pimento cheese spread.
  1. Step 3: Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
  2. Step 4: Use a spoon or spatula to stir and mix well. Place in a serving bowl and serve with crackers.

Questions You May Have

What Are Pimento Peppers?

Pimento peppers are small red peppers that carry a sweet tangy flavor. They’re commonly used to stuff the center of green olives. They’re not spicy and can easily be found jarred and chopped at your supermarket.

Is Pimento Cheese Spicy?

This recipe adds chopped Chipotle Peppers in Adobo which add a smoky rustic heat flavor. Chipotle Peppers can be very spicy, but I always scrape the seeds and veins from the peppers. That’s where the heat lies, and doing so, in my humble opinion makes this a medium hot flavor. This recipe calls for three Chipotle Peppers, reduce to two if you’d like, then add more if it acceptable to your tolerance.

Tips For Success

  • Use a fine mesh strainer to drain the jarred pimento peppers. Let them sit for about 5 minutes until all the liquid has seeped out. I even pat them dry with a paper towel. Any moisture will thin this thick pimento cheese spread.
  • Purchase quality cheddar cheeses and grate them yourself. Packages of pre-grated cheese contain additives that prevent cheese from clumping in the plastic packages. Which will alter texture and flavor.
  • Be sure to buy good quality cheddar cheeses. I prefer Tillamook.

How To Serve It

  • Serve it as an appetizer with a sturdy cracker. Provide a small spreader knife to avoid broker crackers in the dip.
  • Pimento Cheese Sandwiches: Just butter two slices of bread, spread some of the Pimento Cheese Spread on the unbuttered side. Put the two pieces of bread together and toast the buttered sides in a non-stick fry pan.
  • Serve it with crackers of your choice, crostini or even celery.

Recipe for Spicy Pimento Cheese

Homemade Pimento Cheese Spread is far superior in texture and flavor than any store purchased version. And making it yourself with quality ingredients avoids those preservative ingredients. It’s so quick to make, there’s no excuse to not make it in your own kitchen.

And don’t miss my appetizer category. You’ll find lots of recipes to get the party started, including the most popular on my site for Stuffed Celery with Cream Cheese and Olives.

If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

Spicy pimento cheese spread without cream cheese, served with ritz crackers.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Spicy Pimento Cheese Recipe without Cream Cheese

Chipotle peppers kick up this recipe for homemade Pimento Cheese Spread. A sassy version using shredded cheeses, this is a Pimento Cheese spread recipe without cream cheese.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 289kcal
Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

  • 1 healthy Cup Shredded Sharp Extra White Cheddar Shredded
  • 1 healthy Cup Extra Sharp Yellow Cheddar Shredded
  • 1 large Roasted Red Bell Pepper Chopped, about ½ cup
  • 4 ounce Chopped Pimento Peppers Jarred. Drained well.
  • ½ cup Mayonnaise
  • 3 Chipotle peppers in adobo chopped, deveined and seeded to avoid too much heat
  • ½ teaspoon Dried chopped onion

Instructions

  • Use the large holes of the box grater to shred the cheddar cheeses. I like to measure 1 heaping cup full of each cheddar.
  • Chop the roasted red bell pepper into small pieces. You want them to blend well in the dip.
  • Well drain the pimento peppers.
  • Use a small knife to slice open the Chipotle peppers. Use the back of the knife to scrape out the seeds and veins. That's where the majority of the heat lies.
  • In a large bowl, add the peppers, shredded cheeses, mayonnaise and dried onion flakes. Stir well. Let the dip sit for at least an hour to meld flavors and let the onion flakes soften.
  • I like to serve this spicy Pimento spread with Ritz crackers. Their savory sweet flavor seems to be a good pairing for this spread.

Notes

Tips For Success
  • Use a fine mesh strainer to drain the jarred pimento peppers. Let them sit for about 5 minutes until all the liquid has seeped out. I even pat them dry with a paper towel. Any moisture will thin this thick spread.
  • Purchase quality cheddar cheeses and grate them yourself. Packages of pre-grated cheese contain additives that prevent cheese from clumping in the plastic packages. Which will alter texture and flavor.
  • Be sure to buy good quality cheddar cheeses. I prefer Tillamook.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 680mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1079IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 277mg | Iron: 1mg

Spicy Pimento Cheese without Cream Cheese … It’s What’s For An Appetizer

Crock Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

By 36 Comments

Full of tangy flavor with vinegar, Worcestershire sauce spicy brown mustard and some Western flare using New Mexico Chili Powder. Made easy by using my slow cooker, the meat is then shredded into sandwich bliss. Top with some Colorado Chow Chow relish and you’ve got an out of this world pulled pork sandwich.

Crock Pot Colorado Chow Chow Pulled Pork Sandwiches. A delicious way to feed a crowd.

Why am I like a hundred years old and have never had Chow Chow until this summer? Guess it wasn’t on my Central Kansas Farm mom’s radar when I was growing up.

Chow Chow is popular in the south, in Pennsylvania and in New Mexico. My good friend Cauleen, who grew up in Pennsylvania, looked at me like I was from outer space, when she learned I had never had it. 

I was thrilled to find Colorado-Style Southern Chow Chow on a weekend trip to the Western Slope. You bet I grabbed a couple of  jars and we think they’re absolutely delicious. We’ll be buying a few jars to get us through an otherwise Chow Chow -less Winter.

Colorado Spicy Chow Chow

We’ve piled some on top of hot dogs.  Oh-my delicious! Again, enter sweet, salty and tangy.

Colorado Chow Chow Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Easy in the crockpot.

And even better on this pulled pork sandwich recipe that I came up with.

Crock Pot Pulled Pork Chow Chow Sandwiches.

The only pre-prep is to cover the pork shoulder in a brown sugar, paprika and salt rub. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.

Pork Roast cooked in the slow cooker on banana leaves and onion. A great beginning to pulled pork sandwiiches.

I like to line my slow cooker with banana leaves before placing a big chunk of meat. Totally optional. It just seems to steam the meat better and adds flavor – plus I have them readily available at a nearby Asian market.

Next time you’re going to feed a crowd, consider this recipe. They’ll be pleased.

Recipe for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I hope you give this pulled pork recipe a try. It’s a easy make-ahead recipe to feed a crowd. Top the sandwiches with your favorite Cole Slaw recipe or purchased chow chow relish.

More Pork Roast Recipes

And if you’re looking for more pork recipes, don’t miss my Pork Category. You’ll find lots of great recipes, including the most popular on my site for Easy Grilled Ham Steak.

If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.

And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

Colorado Chow Chow Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Easy in the crockpot.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Spicy, tangy, and with a bit of spicy heat, full of flavor. This Colorado Pulled Pork recipe makes great sandwiches
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course Sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 208kcal
Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 5 lbs pork shoulder
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon New Mexico Chile Powder or ancho chile powder
  • 2 yellow onions quartered

Instructions

  • Combine the brown sugar, paprika, salt and pepper, and rub the mixture over the roast. Wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate over night.
  • In a bowl, combine the vinegars, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, mustard, garlic powder, and ancho chili powder. Mix well.
  • Unwrap the roast. I like to line my crock pot with banana leaves (totally optional) Place rough cut onions on the bottom of the crock pot or on top of banana leaves.
  • Place roast on top of onions, drizzle most of the vinegar mix over the top, reserving some to add to the shredded meat at the end.
  • Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or high for 4 to 5 hours.
  • Remove the meat and onions to a cutting board. Remove skin and set aside. Using two forks, pull and shred the pork. Chop the onions, and mix into the shredded meat. Using a fork, remove some of the fat from under the skin, mince, and add to the shredded meat and onions as needed for moisture and flavor.
  • Serve on warm buns or crusty hard rolls, with the remaining vinegar mixture on the side. Top with chow chow or your favorite cole slaw recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 551mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 878IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

Colorado Chow Chow Spicy Pulled Pork Sandwiches … They’re What’s For Dinner.

Yellow Watermelon Summer Salad

By 16 Comments

Yellow Watermelon Salad. An easy Summer Fruit Salad side dish that’s as refreshing and delicious as it is beautiful.

Yellow watermelon salad garnished with mint served on a blue platter

Rocky Ford Melons

This past Sunday, the melon truck was offering up some smaller seedless yellow-fleshed melons. The samples were sweet, crunchy and delicious so I decided to grab one. But the real superstar of Mumm Farms Melon Truck is always the famous Rocky Ford Cantaloupe. Let’s take a look at some Rocky Ford Melons.

Our delicious mouth-watering Rocky Ford watermelons and cantaloupes have been available in our Farmers’ Markets for a couple of weeks now.

Rocky Ford Cantaloupe is the King of melons here. I remember growing up in Kansas, neighbors would haul home a trunk load coming back from Colorado vacations and pass them out like prize winnings. 

They are grown around the little Southeastern Colorado town of Rocky Ford which lies along old Highway 50. It’s in an area called the Arkansas Valley of Colorado which refers to the Arkansas River which starts high in the Rocky Mountains near Leadville, runs through Pueblo, then through Southern Colorado, continuing on through Kansas. Its most famous claim to fame is the canyon it’s chiseled out called The Royal Gorge.

The small town of Rocky Ford hails itself as the “Sweet Melon Capital of the World”. That’s because hot days, cool nights and a relatively high elevation help farmers grow some of the sweetest cantaloupe on the planet  And believe me, every single bite is lush and cherished.

You can visit the web site of the Rocky Ford Grower’s Association for more information on our famous fruit.

Did you know that most of the Rocky Mountain Region and the United States receive their melon seeds for planting from here? Rocky Ford melons recently gained international notoriety with Barack Obama’s public endorsement.

Plain and simple, you just haven’t lived until you’re tasted the super sweet juicy Rocky Ford Cantaloupe. The orange meat of these melons is “perfecto”.

Yellow Watermelon

Less famous than Rocky Ford Cantaloupe are their beautiful sweet watermelons. I purchase both pink meat and their speciality melons, like this yellow fleshed.

I made a very simple Summer Yellow Watermelon Salad using chopped mint and Hawaiian Pink Sea Salt to balance the sweetness.

Yellow watermelon salad. Watermelon cubed and sprinkled with chopped mint and Hawaiian pink sea salt

Yellow Watermelon Salad Recipe

I hope you give this easy Summer Fruit Salad recipe a try. And I’m hoping you can find Yellow Watermelon at your markets. It makes for a fun presentation. But of course you can use regular watermelon for this recipe.

And if you have a favorite Summer Watermelon Salad Recipe, let me know. I’d love to give it a try.

Yellow watermelon salad garnished with mint served on a blue platter
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Easy Yellow Watermelon Salad

Ready in 10 minutes, this easy watermelon salad is a perfect Summer side dish.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 49kcal
Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

  • 4 cups watermelon cubed, preferably a yellow variety
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 4 Tablespoons fresh mint torn
  • Pink Hawaiian Specialty Salt to taste, or Pink Himalayan

Instructions

  • Peel and cube the watermelon. In a bowl arrange the melon and sprinkle with ime juice salt and pepper. With a large spoon, gently stir the melon. Sprinkle with torn mint leaves and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1077IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Rocky Ford Melon,

It Screams Colorado Summer!