My new toy...

This week I turned 40. No drum roll needed, maybe just a forlorn whistle from an almost broken party favor. It's just a number right? Anyway Maura bought me a new Weber smoker (thanks hunny), and I think I'm going to have some fun with it. 

This morning I pulled myself out of bed at 6am to get the smoker fired up. By 6.30 I was putting a 6lb pre-seasoned pork shoulder on the coals. This was going to provide some tasty pulled pork sandwiches for dinner.

 Using the smoker was fun even with the storm that opened up over me. I couldn't believe out of all the sunshine days we receive here in Southern California It chose to rain on my parade. The pork cooked all day until I took it off the grill 9 hours later

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Next I let it rest and then shredded it. I was relieved to find it very tender and smoky and ready to be devoured. I also made a spicy vinegar based barbecue sauce which went along with the regular Stubbs I had in the fridge. Some home made coleslaw and the best baked beans,a la Erin accompanied these little subs.

A great night with friends and kids was had by all despite the lousy weather. Here's to many more smokes with the bullet.

The butt 4 hours in.

 Crusty, chewy smoky bark.