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
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 :)
ChopinandMySaucepan, many thanks! I agree with you on the chips & pickles, too. :)
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~~~! :)
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!)
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
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!
I’ll take the sandwich to go please! Extra side pickles =) Looks delicious!
Thanks, Jenny! Wish I could deliver one to you!
I’m drooling over that sandwich. Every photographer will tell you that brown meat is next to impossible to make beautiful. Eat and enjoy :)
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… ;)
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!
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…)
ooo it looks plenty good to me! this is like, my dream flavor combination!
Anna, it’s my dream favorite combo, too! :)
your sandwich looks so juicy and delicious! Mmm!
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!
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
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
Your photos are beyond awesome my friend, I’m falling into that first one :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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!) :)
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
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