#19: Cook 5 new-to-me dinner recipes (recipe 3)

As most of you know, my family is extremely important to me and since I am living in Harrisburg (my hometown) I try to have dinner with my parents at least once a week.  Usually dinner involves an amazing meal cooked by my multi-talented mom, or an occasional venture to one of our favorite restaurants.  This week I decided I would contribute to our weekly gathering by preparing something in my crock pot.  I am a big fan of food blogs and stumbled upon A Year of Slow Cooking a while ago, which is written by New York Times best selling author, award-winning blogger, and mother of three, Stephanie O'Dea, but never actually made anything from the site.  The commentary on the recipe I ended up choosing was very positive - plus I happen to think that pork is extremely tasty when prepared slow and low!  I assembled the recipe for Hirino Psito at night and then set it to cook while I was sleeping.

In prepping the pork for its overnight simmer, I did make a few adjustments as well as paid homage to a local Central Pennsylvania staple.  To start, I realized that I did not have Worcestershire sauce - so I substituted that with 1/2 tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce and 1/2 tablespoon of hot sauce.  The recipe also called for 1 cup of beer.  In an effort to save myself an out of the way trip to the beer distributor, I opted to use the only beer I had on hand in my apartment:  an oversized bottle of Mad Elf Ale from our local Harrisburg brewery, Troegs.

This stuff is a seasonal brew, usually available from October until December - and at 11% ABV, it sure packs a punch!  My uncle Jeff always make sure to have lots of it on hand for the holidays (tis the season, afterall)!  I will never forget the one Thanksgiving not so long ago when my brother, Tom, didn't realize quite how potent Mad Elf could be and consumed more than two of them.  His night may or may not have looked something like this...

I added a cup of Mad Elf to the crock pot (and then consumed the remainder...hehe) and I think it was a good choice!  The cherry and honey flavors of the beer definitely complimented the rest of the ingredients and tasted delicious!  

mmmmmmm! :)

This recipe was SO easy - definitely a winner and a keeper in my book!