NC Barbecue - best in the world!

I LOVE North Carolina Barbecue. Eastern NC bbq, that is. And, believe me there is a distinction!

When I moved to NC in 1985, I only knew barbecue could come one way - "Memphis style", or a ketchup based sauce. (I've even heard that some people in SC have a mustard-based sauce, which sounds like a big waste of good pork to me!) It didn't take long for my family to find and fall in love with the bbq here. Eastern NC bbq is a pulled pork with a sauce that is a delightful vinegar, peppery sauce so savory - my salivary glands are working hard even as I type this!

My husband and I are somewhat connoisseurs of all the good restaurants that serve NC bbq in our area. Some of the best are a little drive over to Wilson, NC. Or, we get great bbq that friends/family do in their own backyard. I never knew the derivation of "pig-picking" until moving to NC, where at a get-together they left the whole pig (head and all) on cooker and we were to go up and pick our meat right off the pig. And, while delicious, I would have preferred someone else to do that for me!

While this is one of our all-time favorite meals, I have never attempted to make this at home. It would be hard to top some of the places we go. On a day I was craving some good bbq, I pulled out some things from my frig and discovered a quick alternative that is a huge hit for my family.

I simply take 1-2 lbs of chicken breast (since I always have it on hand) and cook (boil) and shred it, instead of going through the cost and trouble of a pork roast. Then, I take some good sauces (purchased directly from a restaurant or we also like the Harris Teeter brand - HT Trader's Eastern Carolina sauce) and coat the pulled chicken in the sauce. We serve it on a bun and usually have fries or Mo Joes with them. Very simple dinner in a very short time. Perfect for days, like today, when I don't feel 100%. Mike also uses the sauce on his chicken wings sometimes.

PS - Since my mom no longer lives in a state that appreciates this fine meal, she has discovered a recipe to make her own sauce with a pulled pork roast - perhaps I can get her to share it in the comments (hint, hint). That way all you non-carolinians can make it too! :)