The Beginning Of A Simple But Special Meal

So I’m making dinner for some friends tomorrow after a round of golf, I needed something I can have ready, be full of flavor and will not make me stand over the grill or in the kitchen all night.  I get great Berkshire hogs from Faith’s Farm to use at the resto and what better than a bone in shoulder.

I started by scoring the fatty side about 1/2 inch deep 3/4 inch apart and then cold smoking it using apple wood chips for 5 hours, then I made a wet rub of the following ingredients:

8 cloves of garlic

2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled, grated fine.

1 tbsp red chili flakes

2 tsp ground mustard

2 tsp hot paprika

3 tbsp leather wood honey

1 tbsp salt

2 tsp marjoram

2 tbsp low salt soy sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

Grind the following spices to a powder and add to above:

1 bay leaf, 2 pcs of broken star anise, 6 cloves, 2 tbsp black peppercorns, 1 tbsp coriander seed, 1/2 cinnamon stick

Mix everything together and after the smoking rub half of it into the meat on the scored side.  Place in an oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 min to brown.

Flip over and spread the rest of the rub onto the bare side and roast for 20 minutes longer.  turn oven down to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, add 2 cups of water  and cover.  Slow roast for 16-24 hours.  Before serving flip over and turn the oven back up to 400 degrees and crisp up the top, just make sure you do not burn it.

This is going to be served with some poblano pepper and tortilla casserole, minted cabbage slaw and grilled green onions and vinegary bell pepper relish.  My house smells amazing right now and I cant wait to dig in!