Being a working mom requires lots of meal planning (make sure you're using our meal planning guide!) and weekend prepping to ensure we eat healthy meals all week long. I often make two meals on Sunday: one to eat, and one to use for a few nights during the week. Since not everyone loves "leftovers", its better to make something that can be re-imagined in several dishes.
Enter pork shoulder! Meijer had pork shoulder on sale for $1.39/lb on Sunday. Jackpot! I bought a 9 lb. pork loin for less than $13! I crammed that thing in my large slow cooker coated it with salt and pepper, cut a large onion into wedges, turned it on HIGH and 10 hours later, it was falling off the bone. I shredded the pork and put it in a strainer over a large bowl and let an excess fat dip off. I split the meat into two bowls. Once they cooled, I put half in a bag to freeze, and the other half in a Tupperware container in the fridge for the week. (I used the same recipe for a Party Menu if you need to serve a crowd.) You'll only have to prep the side dishes - and I suggested some pretty easy ones below - which makes for fast weeknight dinner!
Enter pork shoulder! Meijer had pork shoulder on sale for $1.39/lb on Sunday. Jackpot! I bought a 9 lb. pork loin for less than $13! I crammed that thing in my large slow cooker coated it with salt and pepper, cut a large onion into wedges, turned it on HIGH and 10 hours later, it was falling off the bone. I shredded the pork and put it in a strainer over a large bowl and let an excess fat dip off. I split the meat into two bowls. Once they cooled, I put half in a bag to freeze, and the other half in a Tupperware container in the fridge for the week. (I used the same recipe for a Party Menu if you need to serve a crowd.) You'll only have to prep the side dishes - and I suggested some pretty easy ones below - which makes for fast weeknight dinner!
We ate tacos and hoagie sandwiches this week, but here are FOUR options for dinners:
Dinner #1:
Pork Tacos/Pork Bowls
Tortillas (flour or corn -whatever you like!)
Shredded cooked pork
Cooked rice or quinoa
Re-fried Beans
Salsa or fresh chopped tomatoes
Shredded lettuce or cabbage
Avocado
Limes
Cilantro
Assemble bowls or tacos in whatever order you choose. Easy to do buffet style and everyone gets what they want! Taco Tuesday??
Dinner #2:
BBQ Pork Sandwiches
Hawaiian sweet rolls (for kid-size sliders) or Hoagie rolls (for grown-up hunger)
Shredded cooked pork
Favorite BBQ Sauce(s)
Optional toppings: pickles, coleslaw, cheese
For a little "extra", I place the rolls open-face on a cookie sheet and slather a little (or a lot of) butter on them. Broil for a couple of minutes until toasted. Place the warm pork on top and serve - letting everyone choose their toppings (we usually have a few BBQ sauces on hand.)
Optional toppings: pickles, coleslaw, cheese
For a little "extra", I place the rolls open-face on a cookie sheet and slather a little (or a lot of) butter on them. Broil for a couple of minutes until toasted. Place the warm pork on top and serve - letting everyone choose their toppings (we usually have a few BBQ sauces on hand.)
Side dishes:
Homemade Mac & Cheese or Store bought (this is my family's favorite)
Dinner #3:
Pork Grilled Cheese
Artisan bread (I like the Asiago bread from Panera)
Shredded cooked pork
Pepper jack cheese slices (American, Monterrey Jack, and Cheddar work well too!)
Warm the pork before assembling the grilled cheese. Make sure the cheese is sliced very thin or it won't melt thoroughly while cooking. I recommend using an electric skillet or a griddle pan so everyone can eat at the same time!
Side dish:
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Dinner #4:
Pork Quesadillas
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