Crock Pot - Pulled Pork Tacos

I love having pulled pork, because you can do so much with it! If you make a larger roast, you can freeze this very easily! Its great to pull out of the freezer for a quick meal.  You just can throw it in a pot on the stove frozen, and it will thaw & heat up! 

Funny story-- My sister came over and I was making dinner. I told her it was "slim pickings" and I was making tacos, but she was welcome to stay.  They were pulled pork (from the freezer), cheese, and tortillas! She thought they were gourmet! 

This pork can be used for tamales, enchiladas, tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, cubans, and more! I might have to go make a Cuban NOW! 

These tacos were gobbled up by my mom and cousin Tiffany.  My mom doesn't love meat, but she loved these! 

Ingredients: 
3 pounds pork butt (you can use a larger one, to serve more people, or to have more leftovers)
1 T vegetable oil
8 ounces of Schlitz or your favorite beer (I'm still trying to get rid of the random beer!)
1 1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 T smoked paprika
1/2 T cumin
1 1/2 t. onion powder
1 1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 t. garlic powder

for serving: corn or flour tortillas, guacamole, fresh cilantro, chopped pineapple, sour cream (see below)

Directions: 

Combine spices together in a small bowl.  

Heat oil in a large skillet.  When hot, add pork and brown on each side. 

 Add pork, seasonings, and beer to crock pot.

Cook on low for 10-12 hours.  

30 minutes before serving, shred pork using a fork and let simmer on low.   

Jalapeno Lime Sour Cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced
juice of 1 limes
1-2 T fresh cilantro, chopped
dash of salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients together then serve.



Adapted from: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/05/crockpot-beer-carnitas-tacos/

Crock Pot Love ~ Six Great Crock Pot Meals

Reasons why I love my crock pot:
1. It's one dish.
2. It's easy.
3. It makes my house smell good.
4. Great leftovers.
5. Great for feeding crowds.
6. Wonderful comfort food.
7. I can make it in the morning, and forget about it!
8. Meat is tender and cooked just right!
9. The flavors!
10. I haven't had a complete flop with the crock pot!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: 

GET SOME! Crock Pot liners are the best invention! It makes clean up so easy! No more soaking or scrubbing, just throw it away! They are found next to the foil. 

Here are some of my favorite recipes: 

Pot Roast 

Spaghetti Sauce

Corned Beef

BBQ Pulled Pork ( you can turn this into tacos! or enchiladas!)

Chili

Jambalaya

I'm working on 2 more... stay tuned!

Donors Choose "iPad, iWonder"

UPDATE: 
My Project has been fully funded!! Thank you donors!! We can't wait to get our iPad mini!

Earlier this fall, I created a Donors Choose project called "iPad, iWonder." With help from GREAT family, friends, and parents, I am over halfway to having an iPad mini for my classroom!

I hope to use it not only during reading and reading workshop, but also as a way to motivate my class. If you can help or know someone who can, please share! Only 5 more days left!

Yesterday Donors Choose put out a Groupon, I'm so bummed I missed it! My project is getting so close to being funded! If you were lucky enough to grab the Groupon, here is a great way to help a classroom in need!

Here's my classroom request: www.donorschoose.org/misscremer

How many times have you said, "I wonder...." My students are constantly asking that as we are reading and learning. Our new reading/writing/and spelling series is called Reading Wonders and has the ability to be accessed on an iPad.

I have a class of 25 5th graders who have a variety of needs. Our school is 40% free and reduced lunch, however, we do not receive Title support. My students love to learn, however many of them do not have the resources they need at home. By giving them extra resources in the classroom, I hope to help them succeed.

Access to technology provides my students with so many opportunities. With an iPad, they will be able to research, read, video tape presentations, use it as a camera, and play educational games. There are also so many apps that they will be able to use.

By providing support to this project, my 5th graders will be able to not only answer their "I wonder..." questions, but also open their eyes to new information, practice skills, and most importantly enjoy learning.

My students and I greatly appreciate your support!


Thanks,

April


FULLY FUNDED!!! 

Please share!

www.donorschoose.org/misscremer

Happy Thanksgiving!

I made these for the babies a few years ago! One of my favorite shirts!

CREATE.COOK.TEACH ~ ETSY STORE!

Create.Cook.Teach is now an Etsy store!

After many friends and family members telling me I needed to open an Etsy shop, I finally did it! I enjoy crafting and creating gifts for all ages. I often find myself saying, "Hey, I can make that!" I believe that I can, and usually the same day, I do! If you see something on the blog, you would like for me to put in my shop, let me know! I will do custom orders, send me your ideas!!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreateCookTeach

These were some of my custom orders I made today!!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreateCookTeach

Wreaths & Wine Party

Last week, I had my friends over for a "Wreaths & Wine" party.  I had given a few wreath lessons, during the fall, so I thought, "Why not have a party and get them all done at once?!" We met at my house, and then headed off to Hobby Lobby.  In the days before the party, we were pinning inspiration pictures, so most of us went with a vision in mind.  I was there to help them pull their vision together! I wish I would have taken pictures of us shopping. It was a sight to see! We all had our phones out with the pictures trying to find the perfect ribbon, pine branch, or ornament! Andrea even made a friend who was making a similar wreath! I thought she might invite her over too!

All of us spent around $25-50. Some of us hit up the fall sale, 80% off, so they spent a little more, because they bought more than just wreath supplies!

First we had a little dinner, then we got to work! I set up a large 6 foot table and the glue guns.  I would also suggest having out wire cutters, wire, picks, and scissors.

I gave a little lesson on deco mesh wreaths, and we all got to work! I love how they all turned out! Even some of them who are not crafty, and didn't have a vision, came out with great wreaths! It was a hit! A little wine, helps boost confidence too! :)

This is what happens when you try to do a self timer, that shoots 6 pics every time! As you can tell we were having fun! 

Our AWESOME wreaths! 

Crock Pot Jambalaya

This is one of my favorite go-to Sunday winter meals. It is easy, its all in one dish, and it makes the house smell good! Depending on the sausage you use, it can be mild or spicy.  This round I used the sausage from the grocery store. The sausage from Werner's in Mission is 1000 times better! It is a lot spicier, but really adds to the flavor! 

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I have also used breasts)
1 pound andouille sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon Cajun spice mix
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 3/4 cups rice
Parsley, optional

Directions
Combine chicken, sausage, onion, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, spice mix, thyme and oregano in a large (5-quart) slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours.

Add rice; raise heat to high and cook for 30 minutes more. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired. Note, the rice does get soggy, so make sure you put it in right before you are ready to eat!

adapted from: My Recipes