-
1
Heat a smoker to 180 to 200F, preferably using a mixture of oak, hickory, and pecan.
-
2
Season the pork butt liberally with salt and the rub, place in a large pan, and transfer to the smoker.
-
3
Cook for about 6 hours.
-
4
Remove the pork from the smoker, cover the pan with a lid or tented foil, and transfer to a 250F oven.
-
5
Cook until you can pull the meat apart with a gentle tug, about 2 additional hours.
-
6
Remove from the oven, let cool, and shred the pork.
-
7
Set aside.
-
8
Reserve the pan juices.
-
9
While the pork is cooking, puree 4 cloves of garlic, the onion, celery, and bell peppers in a food processor.
-
10
Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a saute pan over medium heat and saute the onion mixture until all of the moisture has evaporated.
-
11
Add the chicken stock, 3/4 cup of the reserved stock, the cayenne, bay leaves, thyme, and sage and bring to a boil.
-
12
Add the popcorn rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
-
13
Remove the bay leaves and set aside.
-
14
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a saute pan over medium-high heat.
-
15
Add the minced garlic and duck livers and saute until browned, about 7 minutes.
-
16
Set aside.
-
17
Brush the green onions with canola oil and season with salt and pepper.
-
18
Either grill them until they are lightly charred, about 2 minutes, or saute until the edges brown, about 4 minutes.
-
19
Chop finely.
-
20
In a large bowl, using your hands, mix together the pulled pork, cooked rice, duck livers, and green onions, then form the mixture into golf ballsize balls.
-
21
Heat the oil in a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pan to 350F.
-
22
(The oil should be at least 3 inches deep.)
-
23
Meanwhile, spread the flour on a plate, put the beaten eggs in a shallow bowl, and spread the bread crumbs on a separate plate.
-
24
Dredge the boudin balls in the flour, then the beaten eggs, and then the bread crumbs and carefully drop into the hot oil.
-
25
Working in batches, fry them until brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
-
26
Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towellined plate.
-
27
Serve immediately with dipping sauce.