Pork Roast #1

Several in a series, I think, of pork roasts that I plan to do this winter.

So this recipe http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/10/braised-pork-shoulder-with-apple-cider-and-ginger-beer did not turn out as delicious as I had hoped.  It was good, but not magnificent.

Issue #1 - it did not translate well to the slow cooker.  I should have read this first: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/howtocook/primers/slowcooking_adapting and I would have reduced the liquid by half.

Issue #2 - it wasn't spiced well.  Seasoning the meat is one thing, but this recipe would have done better if it had some cumin or some other sweet/savory spice.  The ginger beer used, while Extra Strong, wasn't enough to give the meat the flavor I wanted.  I may need to experiment with spice rubs.

But I served it with the Roasted Garlic and New Potatoes recipe that I thought was from Pioneer Woman Cooks, but apparently has been removed from her site.  Here's a copy of the recipe.  The white wine and long roasting time (1.25 hours) is key.
http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/1906407-Roasted-Garlic-and-New-Potatoes

And then I tried a new one for the Brussels Sprouts, you pan sear them and then add maple syrup and butter to make a sauce.  There are herbs, but I didn't include them, because 3 kinds of fresh herbs is excessive if you don't have them in your garden.
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/10/brussels-sprouts-with-maple-syrup