It all started with a perfectly delectable recipe for roast pork — herb-encrusted, slow roasted, nestled on a bed of homemade applesauce — the stuff autumn meals are made of… heartwarming and heavenly.
Until it was time to take the picture.
I can empathize with a certain amount of reluctance to “say cheese” — I’d rather be behind the lens than in front of it any day! But as a “foodie,” it’s important to portray deliciousness in all its glory. Not as a matter of pride, but because I want you to know how absolutely wonderful something tasted, perhaps inspiring you to give it a try.
Enter the reluctant pork loin…
Maybe it was my level of distraction that day. Maybe it was the monochromatic color scheme. Maybe it was the background I used. (What was I thinking?!) Or… maybe it was meant to be eaten and enjoyed?
Put. The. Camera. Down.
For a glimpse of how it’s supposed to look, click on this link – thanks, Claudia Lamascolo – your original recipe was fantastic!
Plus, it made great sandwiches the next day. :)
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Bacon, Onions, & Provolone
For each sammich you’ll need:
2 strips of bacon, fried to your liking
1 slice of Provolone cheese
A pile of onions (cut ‘em chunky)
Pulled pork (aka leftover roast pork…)
Spicy BBQ sauce (I used this recipe – thanks, Patio Daddio!)
1 onion bun (or other flavorful roll), split & buttered
Oven fries & pickles, optional
Begin by frying bacon to desired crispness. Remove from skillet; set aside to drain on paper towels.
Add chopped onions to skillet (I like mine fried); saute over low heat until edges are browned.
Meanwhile, grill bun (buttered sides down) on a griddle until golden.
Shred pork with a fork. (Pardon me for waxing poetic…)
Mound shredded meat on bottom bun; top with Provolone.
Nuke until cheese melts. (Gasp! Yes, I used my microwave…)
Top with onions and bacon.
Drizzle with BBQ sauce.
Add the top bun and dig in!
Say cheese!
Enjoying redeeming myself photographically.. or not!
~ Kim
How many times have I done the same thing? I can’t even count! I think it was monochromatic, for sure!! But what came afterwards is much more exciting, I think! It’s definitely worthy of the WFC sammich competition! Aaahhhhmazing!! xox
By: Ally's Kitchen on November 8, 2012
at 9:50 am
Thanks, Miss Ally! Lookin’ forward to hearing you & Christie on Heather’s show tonight! http://basilmomma.com/2012/11/tales-of-the-world-food-championships-on-kitchensinkradio-november-82012.html
By: Kimby on November 8, 2012
at 10:13 am
Your photos are beyond awesome my friend, I’m falling into that first one :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on November 8, 2012
at 1:04 pm
Uru, that’s a high compliment coming from you. I always wonder what my vegetarian friends will think of my meat-laden creations (yikes…) but, being mindful of your dietary lifestyle, I’ve come up with an “Uru-ized” version of this sammich for you: Leave off the bacon and pork, and saute the onions in olive oil. (Oven-fries and pickles mandatory!) :)
By: Kimby on November 8, 2012
at 1:26 pm
OMG that sandwich looks absolutely amazing! I completely understand about food photos…I even have “talks” with my food when it won’t cooperate! I know…I am special! So is your sandwich…actually it is AMAZING. Like you <3
By: Isabelle at home on November 8, 2012
at 6:13 pm
Thanks, Isabelle! Wish I could be there when you’re having one of your lil’ talks with your food. :) Yes, you ARE special in every sense of the word! xo
By: Kimby on November 9, 2012
at 9:38 am
your sandwich looks so juicy and delicious! Mmm!
By: Jasline on November 8, 2012
at 6:28 pm
Jasline, hi and thanks for coming by the lake to leave a comment. I appreciate that, and also the yummy looking food on your blog!
By: Kimby on November 9, 2012
at 9:52 am
ooo it looks plenty good to me! this is like, my dream flavor combination!
By: anna on November 8, 2012
at 11:07 pm
Anna, it’s my dream favorite combo, too! :)
By: Kimby on November 9, 2012
at 10:00 am
I had to laugh at the photo of your pork loin! I hate it when that happens, esp when the recipe is good and the photo totally betrays you. LOL! The sandwich though, is totally drool-worthy. I can practically smell it!
By: Veronica on November 9, 2012
at 4:47 am
Veronica, it’s nice to know I’m not alone… :) The roast pork really was awesome — hope you’ll try it. As for the sammich — if you could smell it, you could also probably hear me oohing & aahhing my way through every bite, lol! (The things my hubby puts up with…)
By: Kimby on November 9, 2012
at 10:03 am
I’m drooling over that sandwich. Every photographer will tell you that brown meat is next to impossible to make beautiful. Eat and enjoy :)
By: Maureen | Orgasmic Chef on November 9, 2012
at 5:16 pm
Maureen, thanks for the photography tip (and reassurance!) — I keep learning as I go — with a lil’ help from my friends! I have a feeling it won’t be the last “blooper” on this blog, either… ;)
By: Kimby on November 12, 2012
at 12:56 pm
I’ll take the sandwich to go please! Extra side pickles =) Looks delicious!
By: Jenny @ Savour the Senses on November 9, 2012
at 7:13 pm
Thanks, Jenny! Wish I could deliver one to you!
By: Kimby on November 12, 2012
at 12:57 pm
I think photographing meat and making it look appealing is really difficult. Photographing sweet things is so much easier. I love the look of the bread roll with all the pickles. What a yummy lunch xx
By: hotlyspiced on November 10, 2012
at 4:44 pm
Charlie, it doesn’t stop me from trying… lol! I agree, sweets are easier to photograph. And eat. (Hence my many attempts at main dishes…) ;) Thanks for enjoying my lunch as much as I did!
By: Kimby on November 12, 2012
at 1:01 pm
I’m scared of re-taking Japanese curry post because it’s all brown, and whenever I have to take meat picture it’s a headache! So glad you take this picture and shared with us. I love pulled pork and this sandwich is like my dream sandwich! YUMMY~~~! :)
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on November 11, 2012
at 1:20 am
Nami, I figure it’s a learning experience — some photos turn out and some don’t — but you can’t know unless you try! There’ve been times when I think none of them will turn out and suddenly — WOW! — one will stand out and surprise me at how clear and true it is. (This, with a lil’ ol’ Kodak “point and shoot,” lol.) My rule of thumb: Only publish the ones that make YOU happy! For me, that includes an “off” one now & then. :) (But please keep trying that Japanese curry… it sounds delish!)
By: Kimby on November 12, 2012
at 1:16 pm
Dear Kimby,
This pull pork sandwich looks seriously awesome!! The combination of the pork, bacon and cheese is truly irresistible. The chips and pickles is a must rather than an option for me :)
By: ChopinandMysaucepan on November 12, 2012
at 6:18 am
ChopinandMySaucepan, many thanks! I agree with you on the chips & pickles, too. :)
By: Kimby on November 12, 2012
at 1:17 pm