Yesterday that rain came through like I was back in Virginia during hurricane season. I kept looking out the window thinking Noah might pull up asking for volunteers to help load the ark. 🌧️🤣
Because of all that foolishness, I started the grill WAY later than planned. The crazy part is I actually got everything on my Friday to-do list done. Every. Single. Thing.
The only problem?
I forgot to schedule sleep. 🤦🏾♂️
So while normal people were in bed being responsible adults, I was outside babysitting a pork shoulder like it was my youngest child. Low and slow for 12 hours. Basting every 20-25 minutes. No shortcuts. No cheating. Just me, smoke, seasoning, and questionable life choices.
Don't let this picture fool you. It might look regular, but this is the kind of pulled pork that makes grown folks close their eyes after the first bite and start talking about childhood memories they forgot they had. 😂
Right now my eyeballs feel like somebody rubbed them with sandpaper. I'm running on caffeine, prayer, and pure stubbornness. A little woozy? Absolutely. Regretting it? Not even a little.
Because I already know when that pork gets pulled apart and hits the plate, it's about to be worth every lost minute of sleep.
Now I'm sitting here at work looking at the clock every five minutes like it's personally disrespecting me. 😭
Lord, let this workday move faster than this pulled pork disappeared. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!! Hopefully I can see some Fireworks for free in Conyers. I'm to tired to go to Stone Mountain, 😐
Slow-cooking pulled pork is truly a labor of love, especially when done low and slow over several hours. From my experience, the key to that fall-apart, tender texture lies in patience and the commitment to consistent basting. I found that reapplying a flavorful mop sauce every 20–25 minutes not only keeps the meat moist but also builds layers of rich taste. It’s easy to underestimate the time needed, which can lead to burning the midnight oil—or in my case, skipping sleep altogether. It’s important to prepare your schedule accordingly when planning an all-day smoke session. Getting everything done on your to-do list is impressive, but don’t forget to carve out some rest; after all, perfect pulled pork is a marathon, not a sprint. Weather can throw a wrench in your plans too, such as unexpected rain drastically reminding me of hurricane season in Virginia. Staying flexible and moving grill sessions when possible can help keep the process stress-free. Also, the right seasoning blend turns ordinary pork shoulder into something that evokes nostalgia with every bite—making people close their eyes and reminiscing about childhood memories. For those who enjoy outdoor cooking on patriotic holidays like the 4th of July, balancing firework watching and a long smoke takes strategy. Sometimes staying local to catch free displays is the better option, especially when sleep deprivation kicks in. To me, the reward of sharing that perfectly smoked pork with friends and family makes every moment worth it. In summary, low and slow pulled pork demands time, dedication, and a passion for flavor. Embracing the quirky, humorous side of these 'questionable life choices' makes the experience memorable and worth repeating.
Oh my god! They done cooked Pumbaa 😭