Maple-Bourbon Pulled Pork

makes 6-8 servings

1 red onion, cut in half and sliced (half-moons)

1 3-4 pound pork shoulder

salt and pepper

3 cloves garlic, smashed

1/2 cup Bourbon (mid-range is fine)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses (unsulphured)

bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce, if desired

1. Add the sliced onion to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

2. Pat the pork shoulder dry and season all sides liberally with salt and pepper, then set atop the onion layer.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Bourbon, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and molasses. Pour over top the pork.

4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the pork is tender and shreds easily.

5. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-size pieces. You can then serve as-is, or stir in barbecue sauce as desired. (I stirred in about 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce, but we like our pulled pork lightly sauced; you may opt to add in more.)