Chili Bar

Chili Bar

Here's a simple idea for serving something easy to a crowd.  I've seen these around, more elaborate in some cases, but.....this fit the needs of some people I invited over a little while back for a sporting event.  I cooked up chili, and hot dogs in a crock pot (I blogged about that yesterday).  I added mini buns, fritoes, crackers, cheese, chopped onions, sour cream, and bowls to fix up a bowl however the mood fit.  I was in the mood for it all.  I'd say it was a success, there was nothing left at the end of the evening, so.....I'll be filing it away for another occasion.  I just love build your own bars. 

Brown Sugar Crock Pot Pork

Brown Sugar Crock Pot Pork

1.     4 lb pork loin (or your favorite cut of pork for a crock pot)
2.     Salt & Pepper
3.     1 onion, sliced
4.     3 garlic cloves, minced
5.     1.5 cups brown sugar
6.     2-3 tbsp Dijon mustard
7.     2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
8.     Equal part cornstarch and cold water (slurry)

Directions

•     Remove excess fat from pork. Using a fork, stab/make holes through out the pork. Season with salt & pepper. Spray crock pot with cooking spray and add onions. Place pork on top.
•     In a bowl, combine garlic, brown sugar, mustard and vinegar. It will be a paste like consistency. Spread all over pork. Cook on low for 8 hours.
•     When the pork is done cooking, take out of the slow cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes. (cover pork with foil) Strain the liquid in the slow cooker into a sauce pan. Save onions. On a medium heat, cook and stir in slurry. The slurry will thicken up the sauce. You may need to repeat this step a few times to get the consistency you want.
•     Place onions on top of pork and cut into pieces. Serve with sauce drizzled on pork pieces.