Tasty Pork Recipes You Make In Your Crockpot or Slow Cooker

I am not much of a meat eater but I do enjoy good pork.  These are some of my favorite pork recipes and they are so easy in your slow cooker or crockpot.  The pulled pork makes great sandwiches and the ribs are excellent with their spicy pasta. Both of these recipes have a bit of an Asian flavor.

PORK RIBS AND SPICY PASTA

1 can (14-oz) beef broth 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled & grated 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tbsp Chinese 5-spice powder 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp chili powder 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil 2 full racks (approximately 4 lbs) pork ribs 3/4 cup hoisin sauce, divided 16-oz thin spaghetti, cooked according to pkg directions 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Stir the broth, water, vinegar, grated ginger, mushrooms, and red pepper flakes together in a 6-quart slow cooker or crockpot.
Combine the 5-spice powder, ground ginger, chili powder, and sesame oil together in a small bowl to form a paste.
Blot the ribs dry using paper toweling.  Brush the dried ribs with half the hoisin sauce and place in the cooker with the liquid but do not stir!  Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting 8 to 10 hours or on high setting 5 to 6 hours.  Remove ribs to a platter or cutting board and brush with the remaining hoisin sauce.  Keep warm until ready to serve.
Skim any fat from the cooking sauce.
Place the hot spahetti into a shallow bowl.  Spread some of the cooking broth over the spaghetti and sprinkle with green onion and cilantro.  Cut the ribs apart and serve over the spaghetti.  Yield: 4 servings
Pork-Pineapple Skewers

1 lb boneless pork loin, timmed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes  2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil 2 cans (8-oz) pineapple chunks in juice 1 red onion, chopped 1 yellow bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup ketchup 3 tablespoons rice vinegar 3 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Mix pork and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in large bowl.  Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pork and cook, turning frequently, until browned, 3 - 4 minutes.
Drain pineapple, reserving juice from 1 can. (Refrigerate juice from other can for another use.)  Combine remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch, pineapple and reserved juice, onion, bell pepper, ketchup, vinegar, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in 5 - 6 quart slow cooker.  Stir in the pork.  Cover and cook until pork is fork-tender, 4 to 5 hours on high or 8 to 10 hours on low.
At the end of the cooking time, stir cilantro into slow cooker.  Thread pork and pineapple evenly on 8 12-inch skewers.  Serve with the sauce.   Enjoy!