Nutritious Crock Pot Pulled Pork and Apples

Made with only a few basic ingredients, a splash of 100% apple juice gives this unique crock pot a nutritious kick!

Ingredients

• 1 (3-pound) bone-in pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon Herbs de Provence (or Italian Seasoning)
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 2 apples of your choice, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups 100% apple juice
• 1 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons bourbon, optional

For the Rice Bowls:

• 2 cups dry brown rice
• 1 large head lacinato (Tuscan) kale, chopped
• 1 large ripe avocado, diced

Cooking Process

1. Sprinkle the pork shoulder with Italian seasoning and sea salt and gently press into the meat.
2. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker, along with the diced onion, garlic, and apples.
3. Pour the apple juice and chicken broth into the slow cooker. Cover, and set slow cooker on low for 6 to 10 hours, until meat is very tender and pulls easily away from the bone.
4. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. Transfer the shredded meat back into the crock pot, discarding the bone.
5. Allow meat to sit in the juices at least 1 hour before serving (if possible).
6. Cook the rice according to package instructions. While rice is cooking, sauté the chopped kale in a small amount of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until wilted, about 5 minutes.
7. Add desired amount of rice to bowls and top with sautéed kale, pulled pork and apples, and sliced avocado.
8. Spoon the pork-apple juice from the crock pot over the bowls and sprinkle with sea salt.
9. Serve with lime wedges.

Bon Apetite!