Italian Beef Sandwiches

4 lb Boneless beef sirloin or rump roast
1/2 cup Water
0.7 ounce envelope Italian dry salad dressing mix
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/2  to 1 tsp Crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
10-12 Hoagie bun, kaiser roll or bun
Provolone slices

Trim fat from beef; cut the meat into 2-3 inch pieces.  Place pieces of meat in a slow cooker.  In a small bowl, stir together the water, salad dressing mix, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper and garlic powder; pour over meat.  Cover and cook on low heat setting for 10 to 11 hours or on high heat setting for 5 to 5 1/2 hours.

Remove the beef from cooker with a slotted spoon, reserving the cooking juices.  Using two forks, pull meat apart into shreds.  To serve, fill buns with  meat and, if you like assorted toppings.  If you like place sandwich filling with cheese and place sandwiches on two large baking sheets; broil sandwiches, one pan at a time, 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Strain cooking juices through a fine mesh sieve.  Drizzle each sandwich with some of the strained juices to moisten.  If you like serve remaining cooking juices for dipping.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

2 1/2 to 3 lb Boneless pork sirloin roast
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1 Tbsp Vegetable oil
2 medium Onions, cut into thin wedges
1 cup Root Beer
2 Tbsp Minced garlic
3 cups Root beer (two 12 ounce cans)
1 cup bottled Chili sauce
1/4 tsp Root beer concentrate (optional)
6-8 dashes hot pepper sauce


Trim fat from pork roast, if necessary.  Cut meat to fit into slow cooker.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  In a large skillet, brown the pork roast on all sides in hot oil.  Drain off fat.  Transfer meat to slow cooker.   Add onions, 1 cup root beer and the garlic.  Cover and cook the mixture on low heat setting for 8-10 hours or on high heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. 
Meanwhile, for sauce: in a medium saucepan, combine the 3 cups root beer and the chili sauce.  Bring to boiling, reduce heat.  Boil gently, uncovered about 30 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, stirring occasionally.  If you like, stir in root beer concentrate and hot pepper sauce.
Remove the meat and onions from the cooker with a slotted spoon.  Discard cooking liquid.  Using two forks, pull meat apart for shredding.  Serve on your favorite bun.