Pork Ragu (and a giveaway!)
November 2nd, 2012
Does anyone remember a few weeks back when I was in the middle of a house purge? The scary kind where you venture into boxes that have been packed since you last moved like 6 years ago. And into weird little storage alcoves where there are like 1,000 dead spiders and box upon box of old maternity clothes. But I will tell you what else I found. My slow cooker. And I have been looking for that, SERIOUSLY, for years. I’m not saying that I looked real hard- mostly I have been thinking about looking for it. I jumped up and down with glee when it was unearthed, and was very excited to put it right to work.
I had a huge pork shoulder in the fridge that I meant to slow braise- but I love a novelty cooking item as much as anyone, so I decided to toss it in the slow cooker!!
I mean, I guess it was pretty cool that I could leave the house and do errands and stuff without freaking out that I was going to burn it down. A definite bonus. I think I’m into it. What else should I make in the slow cooker? What do you guys make in the slow cooker?
By the way- is Pork Ragu the right name for this? I’m not really sure. It’s not like a Bolognese or thick tomato sauce, so I may have overstepped the boundaries of the name. It is massively tender pork shoulder slowly cooked for 8 hours in tomato, carrot, onion and garlic. Flavorful? Yes. Delicious? Yes. Perfect over pasta? Yes. So maybe Ragu is ok?
I feel like this will be the perfect kind of dish as the days get colder and darker, or when we head up to the mountains to go skiing, and want to come home to a hot homemade dinner. Total comfort food.
I am so pumped up about my slow cooker, that I am going to give one away to one of you. A CRAZY huge, cook for a crowd Slow Cooker!! What do you think?
To enter to win a Calphalon 7QT Slow Cooker ($229 value) Just leave a comment below telling me what you would make in your new slow cooker!
You can earn extra chances to win by doing any of the following (and then telling me you did so BY LEAVING A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH below!)
a) subscribe for my daily recipes to wind up in your e-mail in-box!
b) follow me on twitter!
c) like me on Facebook!
d) Follow me on Pinterest!
**The giveaway is open until Tuesday, November 13th 2012 at 11:59 p.m. MST. The giveaway is only open to USA residents. Be sure a valid email address is included with your comment. Winner will be chosen randomly (random.org) and announced on this post Wednesday, November 14th 2012 in the morning. I will email the winner and if the winner doesn’t respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck!! (By the way- this is not sponsored by anyone but me!)
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!!
The winner is (via random.org)
#2 Geri Rosa Brown
Submitted on 2012/11/02 at 3:28 am
“I would make a gigantic batch of cheesey, buttery, polenta with fresh herbs:’) YUM”
To make this Pork Ragu:
Make a nest of the onions, carrots, garlic and thyme. Add the pork on top of the veggies and then pour the tomato sauce in.
Cook on high for 8 hours.
Break the pork apart (it will really just fall apart) discarding any chunks of fat that have not cooked down, as well as the thyme wood.
Season to taste with kosher salt, black pepper, hot pepper flakes and thyme and serve hot over pasta.
Recipe: Pork Ragu
Ingredients
- -1 onion, diced
- -3 carrots, small diced
- -3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- -2 sprigs fresh thyme
- -4 lbs pork shoulder
- -2 28 ounce cans diced tomatoes
- -1 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
- -2 tbs fresh thyme leaves
- -Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Make a nest of the onions, carrots, garlic and thyme. Add the pork on top of the veggies and then pour the tomato sauce in.
- 2. Cook on high for 8 hours.
- 3. Break the pork apart (it will really just fall apart) discarding any chunks of fat that have not cooked down, as well as the thyme wood.
- 4. Season to taste with kosher salt, black pepper, hot pepper flakes and thyme and serve hot over pasta.
Preparation time: 5 minute(s)
Cooking time: 8 hour(s)
Number of servings (yield): 12










Headed to the store now to buy some pork. Yum yum.
2:58 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would make a gigantic batch of cheesey, buttery, polenta with fresh herbs:’) YUM
3:28 am on November 2nd, 2012
CROCKPOT=ALWAYS COMFORT FOOD-ALMOST EFFORTLESS AND READY WHEN I GET HOME FROM WORK. BUT LATELY, I’VE BEEN USING IT FOR BAKED BEANS! (AND 6 YEARS WITHOUT IT? WOW)
3:40 am on November 2nd, 2012
Tikka Masala!
5:36 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would cook a big batch of homemade applesauce for my family.
5:39 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would like a new recipe for braised short ribs in my slow cooker. I try to cook at least one meal a week in the slow cooker to give a “night off” from cooking.
6:27 am on November 2nd, 2012
If I won this slow cooker, the FIRST thing I would make is this awesome Pork Ragu! It looks absolutely incredible!
6:38 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Twitter
6:39 am on November 2nd, 2012
I like you on Facebook
6:40 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest!
6:41 am on November 2nd, 2012
I subscribe to your daily emails.
6:42 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would want to make some apple butter! Btw that Pork Ragu looks amazing Heather
6:55 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would make chicken stock and then chili! Hmm, and then Indian Pudding!
7:19 am on November 2nd, 2012
We have potlucks once a month at work (seriously!) so I would definitely make something for that. Perhaps carnitas?
7:37 am on November 2nd, 2012
I’d make chili!
7:38 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on facebook
7:39 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on pinterest
7:39 am on November 2nd, 2012
Balsamic Short Ribs
7:53 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would make that! And probably some ropa vieja!
8:32 am on November 2nd, 2012
I love making curry in my slow cooker – and it’s so easy.
8:44 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would make bbq pulled pork for my family! Your recipe looks so good. I especially love your vanilla bean pumpkin pie recipe! I can’t wait to make a couple for Thanksgiving again this year.
9:06 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on pinterest.
9:06 am on November 2nd, 2012
Steak Carnitos
9:07 am on November 2nd, 2012
I subscribe to daily emails.
9:08 am on November 2nd, 2012
I “Like” you on Facebook.
9:08 am on November 2nd, 2012
When we were first married I used my crock pot ALL the time so we could come home to a yummy warm meal after a long day at work. My favorite recipe in the crock-pot is pulled pork for sandwiches. Yum!
9:09 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on facebook!
9:10 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on daily emails!
9:10 am on November 2nd, 2012
And follow on twitter!
9:13 am on November 2nd, 2012
I’d try to make ropa vieja.. a cuban recipe of slow cooked beef.
9:14 am on November 2nd, 2012
I just subscribed via email
9:16 am on November 2nd, 2012
and subscribed via twitter
9:17 am on November 2nd, 2012
and following on pinterest (but the email is different from this one)
9:17 am on November 2nd, 2012
Elk stew with lots of vegetables and add a bottle of guinness. I like you on Facebook.
9:22 am on November 2nd, 2012
I’ve done plenty of pulled pork in my crockpot but never a ragu French-style pork. THIS is what I am going to make!!
9:29 am on November 2nd, 2012
I use my slow cooker ~ clearly I should! Extra pork on mine please
9:29 am on November 2nd, 2012
I just signed up to follow you on Pintrest and thank goodness I did! Repinning galore.
9:37 am on November 2nd, 2012
Just signed up for email list
9:37 am on November 2nd, 2012
I’ve been following you on Facebook too!
9:37 am on November 2nd, 2012
Baby food, chili, and riiiibs!!
9:47 am on November 2nd, 2012
Wow, that’s a big crockpot….I think first off if I had that big of one I would make chili for a tailgate party but other than that I’ve always wanted to try adding a whole chicken to the crockpot but mine is too small to do so.
9:59 am on November 2nd, 2012
How was I not subscribed already ? Just signed up!
9:59 am on November 2nd, 2012
I “like” you on FB already!
10:00 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest already…..seriously I’m not a stalker!
10:01 am on November 2nd, 2012
I love using my slow cooker to cook dried beans overnight. You literally get three times the beans for the money with virtually no work. A bigger cooker, of course, would yield bigger batches of beans!
10:06 am on November 2nd, 2012
I like you on Facebook
10:07 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Twitter
10:09 am on November 2nd, 2012
I make lovely blueberry crumble!!
10:27 am on November 2nd, 2012
Wow..my head is full of ideas to use this wonderful kitchen gadget. Would love to win one..:)
10:53 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would probably make some sort of a stew and but I’d also love to make some warm, festive slow cooked desserts in the slow cooker. I’d of course be searching for some recipes right here.
10:55 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would love to try this recipe and other slow cooked pork and beef recipes. I subscribe via email.
10:59 am on November 2nd, 2012
I cook FROZEN skinless boneless chicken breast in my crock pot! Throw the chunk in, season how you want. My current favorite is lemon or lime juice, cilantro, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook on high for 8 hours and shred it in your Kitchen Aid mixer! Great for tacos, enchiladas or just on buns.
10:59 am on November 2nd, 2012
followed you on Pinterest
11:00 am on November 2nd, 2012
liked you on facebook
11:01 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Twitter.
11:02 am on November 2nd, 2012
I would cook pot roast and other scrumptious meals!
11:16 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest
11:19 am on November 2nd, 2012
I like you on Facebook
11:19 am on November 2nd, 2012
I subscribed to your emails
11:20 am on November 2nd, 2012
I’d make a pot roast for sure! I’ve been craving one for awhile since it’s been so cold outside here in Michigan.
11:22 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Facebook.
11:22 am on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest.
11:23 am on November 2nd, 2012
I subscribed to your email list.
11:23 am on November 2nd, 2012
ooh! Such a lovely slow cooker! I would love it if I win because I never had one and I think it will be useful for my big family
I would make the Pork Ragu, pot roast, and polenta!
11:26 am on November 2nd, 2012
I’m already subscribed to your daily recipes!
11:27 am on November 2nd, 2012
Tough question…..but I would probably make a crockpot baked potato soup!
11:32 am on November 2nd, 2012
I love my slow cooker!!! I have a recipe for the most amazing beef and mushroom stew of all time that I would make first!
11:50 am on November 2nd, 2012
I also added you on twitter (msuzanne) and subscribed to your email list! going to add you to my feed reader as well! Thanks for this great giveaway!
11:54 am on November 2nd, 2012
oops I need to leave one more comment for my email list comment above! sorry! thanks!!
11:56 am on November 2nd, 2012
I mostly make whole chickens and then remove all the meat and return the rest with water added and make stock. Only toruble, the house smells like chicken for 24 hours yuck.
1:07 pm on November 2nd, 2012
follow twitter @saramama
1:09 pm on November 2nd, 2012
follow pinterest @saramama
1:09 pm on November 2nd, 2012
like on fb
sara peterson davis
1:09 pm on November 2nd, 2012
omg pulled pork. then pulled chicken. YUM!
1:11 pm on November 2nd, 2012
signed up for your newsletter with above email
1:11 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I want to make pulled pork tacos!
1:18 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I like you on FB!
1:18 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Twitter!
1:18 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest!
1:19 pm on November 2nd, 2012
Also I’m following you on Pinterest.
1:20 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I’d cook some pork cili. Yum!!
1:33 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I would make cabbage rolls!
5:17 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I subscribe to your emails
5:18 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I Like you on Facebook
5:19 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest
5:19 pm on November 2nd, 2012
so simple but…. applesauce! yum!
5:38 pm on November 2nd, 2012
i am a facebook fan!
5:39 pm on November 2nd, 2012
i am a twitter follower
5:39 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I would make this pork ragu. Sounds awesome!
6:11 pm on November 2nd, 2012
Subscribed to your emails
6:12 pm on November 2nd, 2012
Following you on twitter
6:13 pm on November 2nd, 2012
Following you on pinterest
6:13 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I would make coconut curry chicken in a new crockpot
7:25 pm on November 2nd, 2012
I like you on Facebook
7:39 pm on November 2nd, 2012
This recipe looks delicious! I would make a big batch of chili.
9:22 pm on November 2nd, 2012
Julia Child’s boeuf bourgignon or
pot au feu
2:21 am on November 3rd, 2012
I get your emails and wil also follow you on Facebook
2:22 am on November 3rd, 2012
Perfect for the upcoming freezing winter nights in Chicago from this transplanted Texan! Thank you!!
7:24 am on November 3rd, 2012
I like you on FB
11:43 am on November 3rd, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest
11:43 am on November 3rd, 2012
I love making slow cooked beef for French Dip sandwiches in my slow cooker!
11:44 am on November 3rd, 2012
I subscribe to your daily recipes
11:45 am on November 3rd, 2012
I just found your blog. I’d cook up a big ol’ batch of beef stew.
12:50 pm on November 3rd, 2012
That looks fantastic. We follow you on Twitter and Pinterest.
3:19 pm on November 3rd, 2012
I use my slow cooker several days a week and could definitely use a bigger one with three teenage boys! We love pork and this looks like a great recipe to try. Thanks!
6:13 pm on November 3rd, 2012
Oh I would make Cuban Pulled Pork for 50 of my nearest and dearest =}
9:18 pm on November 3rd, 2012
I am gonna make BBQ pulled park!
11:30 pm on November 3rd, 2012
I follow you on Facebook!
11:31 pm on November 3rd, 2012
I would love to try some soups!!
4:48 am on November 4th, 2012
I would love this as it would make week night dinners a breeze!
12:48 pm on November 4th, 2012
i would ABSOLUTELY make this pork ragu! i’m so glad you posted this recipe – pork ragu is my FAVORITE FOOD that i rarely have because i don’t have the ability to make it. would love the slow cooker so i could test this out – THANKS
2:30 pm on November 4th, 2012
Oh, I would definitely make stew, and pot roast!
9:41 pm on November 4th, 2012
I would make Beef Stew!
7:46 am on November 5th, 2012
I subscribe via email too!
7:46 am on November 5th, 2012
Pulled pork is the best in a crock pot!
9:33 am on November 5th, 2012
I subscribe.
9:33 am on November 5th, 2012
I follow on facebook.
9:34 am on November 5th, 2012
I follow on pinterest.
9:36 am on November 5th, 2012
I love ragu sauces and I especially love this as it seems more like a pulled pork – which my kids would love. I have never owned a slow cooker and it has been on my list for a long, long time!
10:01 am on November 5th, 2012
I follow, love, like you everywhere!
10:02 am on November 5th, 2012
I would make pot roast and veggies…and definitely make your pork ragu too…sounds and looks yummy!
11:12 am on November 5th, 2012
probably slow cooker french onion soup
12:32 pm on November 5th, 2012
I’d make pulled pork!
12:34 pm on November 5th, 2012
I would make a huge batch of Chile Verde!
7:14 am on November 6th, 2012
I now follow you on Twitter.
7:15 am on November 6th, 2012
I follow you on pinterest! Love your blog. Looovvveee how you index by ingredient.
7:17 am on November 6th, 2012
And I subscribe to your emails!
7:19 am on November 6th, 2012
I’d make a big batch of chili.
7:50 am on November 6th, 2012
I follow you on pinterest!
8:21 am on November 6th, 2012
I’d make Cuban pork with mojo sauce
8:21 am on November 6th, 2012
I would make a huge yummy pot roast and then turn it into homemade french dips for fam and friends……..totally delish!!
8:47 am on November 6th, 2012
If won I would love to try the Pork Ragu it sounds great. Thanks for the great give away really enjoy your blog.
10:33 am on November 6th, 2012
I liked you on fb (a long time ago!) And I would try my hardest to make this pork Ragu! The hubby would love it!!
12:59 pm on November 6th, 2012
I’d make a nice chicken and dumplings!
7:43 pm on November 6th, 2012
I get your emails.
7:44 pm on November 6th, 2012
I follow on Twitter (@megans_madness)
7:45 pm on November 6th, 2012
I follow on FB.
7:46 pm on November 6th, 2012
I follow on Pinterest (javaaddict)
7:47 pm on November 6th, 2012
I would definitely make this pork recipe!! and probably chili, carnitas… and some sweet things too
5:22 am on November 8th, 2012
I just started following your pins- which I should have been doing anyway
5:23 am on November 8th, 2012
pulled pork or a nice batch of oatmeal
10:12 am on November 8th, 2012
i suscribe to your emails
10:12 am on November 8th, 2012
I would make chili, meatball stew and pulled pork for a start.
10:39 am on November 8th, 2012
I like you on Facebook. Deb Christie
kismetchris(at)gmail(dot)com
10:39 am on November 8th, 2012
I follow you on Pinterest.
http://pinterest.com/kismetchris/
10:40 am on November 8th, 2012
I would cook a chicken and potatoes
11:55 am on November 8th, 2012
Subscribed to email: frangiepani at hotmail dot com
11:55 am on November 8th, 2012
Follow on pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lisalu24/
11:56 am on November 8th, 2012
I would make chicken noddle soup!
6:13 pm on November 9th, 2012
I would make some chili. This looks delicious- my family loves pork shoulder.
4:11 am on November 10th, 2012
And I’ve been a subscriber via Google Reader for ages.
4:12 am on November 10th, 2012
I would make a perfect bolognese sauce which I would freeze for quick pasta dinners this winter!
9:43 am on November 10th, 2012
Just subscribed to your blog via Google Reader
9:45 am on November 10th, 2012
Just liked you on facebook
10:03 am on November 10th, 2012
Thanks for the giveaway and yummy recipes! If I win I’ll make Pork Ragu!
5:53 am on November 11th, 2012
I just liked you on facebook. Thanks!
6:00 am on November 11th, 2012
Chili!!
8:49 am on November 11th, 2012
i like you via fb as alaine elise
8:50 am on November 11th, 2012
i follow via twitter as alaine888
8:50 am on November 11th, 2012
How nice! If I won, I’d make a nice, healthy turkey chili in it first! The possibilities are endless though!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
1:39 pm on November 11th, 2012
I’m a new email subscriber so I can start receiving your yummy recipes!
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
1:40 pm on November 11th, 2012
I now follow you on Twitter (newlywed_nicole)
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
1:41 pm on November 11th, 2012
I liked you on FB (Nicole B.)
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
1:42 pm on November 11th, 2012
I now follow all of your boards on Pinterest (Nicole B.)
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
1:44 pm on November 11th, 2012
I subscribed to your website before I knew about the giveaway. Your recipes just look so delicious!! I am looking forward to trying so many of them!!
1:46 pm on November 11th, 2012
I “liked” you on Facebook
1:47 pm on November 11th, 2012
And….I’m following you on Pinterest…
)
1:48 pm on November 11th, 2012
But, alas, I don’t tweet or twitter….
1:49 pm on November 11th, 2012
By the way…I forgot to post what I like to fix in the crock pot! My latest favorite is Tamale Pie and flank steak for BBQ sandwiches has also been a favorite.
1:51 pm on November 11th, 2012
I think I would make pot of green chile beef for burros!! I just signed up for email recipes! Would love a crock pot!
7:31 am on November 13th, 2012
I’m following you on Pinterest! Thanks!
8:19 am on November 13th, 2012
I just subscribed for emails, Thanks!
8:23 am on November 13th, 2012
i would make spicy pulled pork XD
11:02 am on November 13th, 2012
subscribed =D
11:03 am on November 13th, 2012
I would make pulled pork with brown sugar and onion and enjoy the scent wafting through out the house.
Would also love to try your recipe…looks yummy!!!
11:29 am on November 13th, 2012
I subscribed to your daily emails for my chance to win the slow cooker!!
1:16 pm on November 13th, 2012
I would make beef and broccoli because Im making the Pork Ragu Chili tonight!!!!!! It’s going to be amazing I can Smell It!!
chelsea.bishop.cb@gmail.com
1:18 pm on November 13th, 2012
I also followed you on Twitter for my chance to win this amazing slow cooker.. so follow back @ChelseaHoneyB
1:21 pm on November 13th, 2012
I was just messaging a friend to borrow her slow cooker for Thanksgiving – this would be a wonderful addition to our crazy 26+ person Thanksgiving!!!
8:57 pm on November 13th, 2012