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FOR THE PORK Coat the pork on all sides with the dry rub and massage the rub into the meat.
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2
Wrap the meat tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour or overnight.
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Lay one of the sliced onion and the smashed garlic cloves on the bottom of a large slow cooker.
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Mix apple juice (or water) with liquid smoke and add it into the slow cooker.
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Unwrap the pork.
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Place pork on top of everything.
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Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until pork is very tender.
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Transfer pork to bowl or baking sheet with rimmed edges.
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Discard the cooking liquid and onions.
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Remove any fat from the pork.
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Using two forks, shred pork and return it to the slow cooker.
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Pour BBQ sauce over the top and mix thoroughly.
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Cook on high for 30 minutes.
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Add any additional seasonings to adjust to your taste.
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While pork is cooking for the final 30 minutes, caramelize the remaining sliced onions.
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Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat, and add sliced onions.
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Cook until onions are brown and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes.
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FOR THE PANINIS When ready to make your paninis, butter the outside of each piece of bread (or brush with olive oil).
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Place 6 pieces, butter side down on your work surface and pile pork, some caramelized onions, and a slice (or two!)
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of sharp cheddar cheese onto those slices.
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Top with another slice of bread (butter side up).
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Heat your panini maker*.
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Once hot, add your paninis.
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Grill them until brown and toasty...serve hot!
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*(Note: I used a panini maker, but you could also do them like you do grilled cheese using a skillet or you could use a George Foreman).
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FOR THE DRY RUB Mix together all of the dry rub ingredients in a medium bowl.
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(If desired, you could also use the chopper attachment of an immersion blender to blend everything together).
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Store in an airtight container up to three months.
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(Note: adjust the types and amounts of seasoning to your liking or to what you have on hand.
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Just dont leave out the paprika, sugar, salt, or pepper.
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(This might seem like a lot of intense flavors, but they will mellow a lot in the cooking process).
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FOR THE BBQ SAUCE Mix together all of the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.
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Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
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(If using the BBQ sauce outside of this recipe, youll want to simmer it on the stove for 10-15 minutes, but here you dont need to because it will cook in the slow cooker).
