There's an extra-stabby brand of self-recrimination that comes about when one comes home, mouth slavering for the vegetable stew, several-bean chili or pulled pork shoulder that's occupied one's thoughts all day, only to come home to an air redolent of exactly nothing. No warm waft, no indicator light all a-wink with the tease, nay, promise of a hearty, slow-cooked dinner because (shudder....sob...sigh...) one neglected to actually engage the Crock Pot's "ON" button.

Is there a term for this happenstance and/or the all-day nagging feeling that one's forgotten to flip it on, but is too far from home to remedy the situation? If not, howzabout we put it to a vote? Cast it below, or suggest a better one in the comments.



And lest anyone fret, Jeff later reported that he in fact came home to a lovely, fully-cooked chicken cacciatore.

UPDATE: Commenter Jenna has suggested "crock blocked," which I'm entirely jealous I failed to coin.

My personal favorite cold weather, no barrel smoker, slow-cooker pulled pork recipe is after the jump.

Park Slope Style Pulled Pork Shoulder

1/2 pork shoulder with fat cap intact
1 medium onion
Worcestershire sauce
Several beers and/or leftover wine
Commercial or homemade BBQ sauce

Place pork shoulder into slow-cooker, fat-side up, along with several thick slices of onion. Cover the shoulder up to the bottom of the fat cap with a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, however many beers or splashes of wine you feel you can spare, and water.

Set the slow cooker on high for 6-8 hours. When the time has elapsed, very carefully lift out the shoulder with tongs or a pair of forks, and place it in a bowl. Discard the fat cap or set it aside for another use (perhaps as a jaunty chapeau?), and shred the pork with two forks. Serve the pork with your favorite BBQ sauce, either on a plate with coleslaw, or on a soft potato roll. Heck -- coleslaw with that, too.

My allegiances to BBQ sauces are ever changing, but here's a list of some of my favorites from around the country.