How to win entertaining season: Chile-crusted pork roast and au jus

Gathering around the table with friends and family should never stress the host. At least that's the plan. I try to remember the reasons we gather: friendship, camaraderie, laughter, holiday cheer. Still, menu planning puts pressure on even the most accomplished cook.

Slow-cooked, tender and tangy pulled pork proves the answer to many of my warm-weather entertaining dilemmas: It's not expensive, little active time is required of the cook, it can go casual or more upscale, and it's easy to make. Most of all, nearly everyone embraces the flavors and the effort.

This holiday season I'm once again relying on slow-cooked pork's crowd-pleasing and cook-friendly appeal. With a major exception: I'll employ the oven rather than an outdoor grill. For a number of reasons, not the least of which is the trickiness to cooking on a grill in snow and ice. First, the oven heat will be slow and steady;