Talk about an American tradition. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like BBQ one way or another. BBQ sauces vary from region to region in the United States. For instance, Kansas City BBQ is traditionally a thick tomato based sauce that is slightly sweet and smoky. St. Louis BBQ sauce is a bit thinner and has more tang than the Kansas City sauce. Carolina BBQ sauces are vinegar and mustard based. In Alabama, they do a white BBQ sauce using mayonnaise as a base. This particular sauce gets added at the end to prevent separating from too much heat. People love BBQ Chicken, BBQ Beef, and even BBQ Shrimp. This recipe is for BBQ Pork.

With family pack of pork chops being on sale for anywhere from $.99 to $1.49 a pound, it is easy to do your own BBQ pork. A dinner like this becomes a bargain compared to eating out at BBQ restaurants across the country. I love to serve it with Soft Polenta that goes together very quickly.

3  pounds assorted pork chops, fat trimmed away
Salt and pepper
Cooking oil or pan spray for sauteing
1  cup of your favorite BBQ sauce or more if you like.

Creamy Polenta

3  cups water, brought to a boil in 2 quart sauce pan
1  teaspoon salt
2  tablespoons butter
1  cup coarse corn meal or grits (like Bob’s Red Mill in the natural baking section of your grocery store)
2  tablespoons sour cream

Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Lightly brown on both sides in a saute pan over medium heat. Add to the crock-pot with 3 cups water. Set on low and cook for 6-8 hours or until pork breaks apart easily with a fork. 15 minutes before serving, remove chops from slow cooker. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Remove bones and any excess fat from the chops. Cut or tear into bite size pieces. Mix BBQ sauce in with the drippings, turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the pork pieces to coat well. Allow to heat through.

To make the polenta, add salt and butter to boiling water and gently stir in corn grits. Reduce heat to medium, still stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Cover the pan and let sit for 2 minutes. Just before serving, stir in the sour cream. Serve with BBQ Pork. Makes 4 servings. Add your favorite coleslaw for a complete meal. Enjoy!