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From The NFL Gameday Cookbook by Ray, Dr. BBQ, Lampe and published by Chronicle Books

Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This is what real barbecue is all about. A long slow cooked pork shoulder is as good as it gets. Yes, the butt comes from the shoulder. It’s the shoulder blade or the butt end of the whole shoulder. These sandwiches are best served topped with coleslaw. Pick one of mine or use your family favorite.

For the rub
3 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon paprika

One 7 to 8 pound pork butt, fat cap trimmed off
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider
2 cups Dr. BBQ’s Carolina Barbecue sauce (Recipe below)
12 hamburger buns

To make the rub, in a small bowl combine the salt, pepper, granulated garlic and paprika. Rub the meat with the oil and then sprinkle liberally with the rub. Put in the refrigerator for at least a half hour and up to 12 hours.

Prepare the grill or smoker indirect at 275 F using hickory and cherry for flavor. Put the butt in the cooker and cook until the internal temperature is 160 F. This should take 6 to 8 hours depending on your cooker. Lay out a big double piece of heavy duty aluminum foil and put the pork butt in the middle. As you begin to close up the package pour the apple juice over the top of the butt and then seal the package, taking care not to puncture it put it back in the cooker. Return the package to the cooker and cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 195F. This should take another 2 to 3 hours. Remove the package from the cooker to a baking sheet. Open the top of the foil to let the steam out and let it rest for 1 hour. Using heavy neoprene gloves or a pair of tongs and a fork transfer the meat to a big pan. It will be very tender and hard to handle. Discard the juices as they will be quite fatty. Shred the meat discarding the fat and bones. It should just fall apart. Continue to pull the meat until it’s shredded enough to make a sandwich. Add 1 cup of the sauce and mix well. Reserve the additional sauce for serving on the side. Serve on fluffy white buns topped with Cole slaw.

Makes 12 sandwiches

Dr. BBQ’s Carolina Barbecue Sauce

1 cup vinegar
2/3 cup ketchup
2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

In a small saucepan mix together the vinegar, catsup, sugar, salt, Worcestershire and pepper flakes. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes stirring to blend.
Makes about two cups

Spicy Tangy Slaw

This slaw goes well with all the real barbecue dishes.

One 16-ounce package of shredded Cole slaw mix
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 medium onion, sliced thin
1 jalepeno, halved and sliced thin

For the dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon sugar
In a large bowl mix together the dressing ingredients. Add the slaw mix, the red pepper, the onion and the Jalapeno. Toss to coat. Let rest 5 minutes and toss again. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.

Makes about 8 servings.