Sunny Anderson's Pulled Pork Sandwiches

A Meal a Vice President Would Enjoy

From the kitchen of Sunny Anderson

Servings:Over 8

Difficulty: Easy

Cook Time: Over 120 min

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, honored wounded troops with a cookout at their home -- and they asked Sunny Anderson to help them plan the menu.

Ingredients

For the pork sandwiches:

1/2 cup spicy brown mustard

1/4 cup honey

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 7-to-9-pound bone-in pork shoulder, skin removed

10 crusty rolls, split

Coleslaw, for serving

For the barbecue sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 medium onions, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

8 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup apricot preserves

1 cup ketchup

2 teaspoons hot chili sauce (such as Sriracha)

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Cooking Directions

Combine the mustard, honey, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon pepper, the paprika and garlic in a bowl. Prick the pork on all sides (including the fat) with a paring knife, about 1/2 inch deep. Brush all over with the mustard mixture. Tightly wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours.

Unwrap the pork, place in a roasting pan and bring to room temperature. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 250 degrees.

Transfer the pork to the oven and pour 1 inch hot water into the pan. Cook 3 hours, adding water as needed to maintain 1 inch.

Remove the pan from the oven, add water if needed and cover tightly with foil. Return to the oven and cook 6 more hours. Turn off the oven and let the pork rest inside, about an hour.

To make the sauce, melt the butter with the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and paprika and cook 2 to 3 more minutes (reduce the heat if the garlic starts to brown). Stir in the brown sugar, preserves, ketchup and chili sauce, stirring after each addition. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the vinegar. Add salt to taste.

Remove the pork from the oven and discard the bone. Coarsely shred the meat using 2 carving forks. Toss with some of the barbecue sauce and pan juices and season with salt and pepper. Serve on rolls with coleslaw.