Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Pork Roast with Apple Butter

Serves about 6-8, depending on appetite and ability to restrain oneself in the face of deliciousness

3-4 pound pork roast (I use boneless picnic pork)
2 cups organic apple juice--not from concentrate

Put the roast in the crock pot, pour the apple juice over the top of it, and cook on high for about two hours.

In a small bowl, whisk together:
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp apple juice from the crock pot
Couple dashes each of cinnamon and cloves

After the roast has been on high for two hours, reduce the temperature to low and coat the unsubmerged portion of the roast with the apple butter paste. Cook on low for an additional 2-4 hours.

Prior to serving, remove the roast from the crock pot and cover loosely with foil. Allow the roast to sit for a good ten minutes or so before cutting.

Best served with some wild rice and steamed green veggies of some sort. Make sure you invite friends to dinner. They'll go back out into the world so impressed, you'll become a legend.

Printable recipe is here: click
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I'm not one for acronyms, but OMG! This is easily the most delicious pork I have ever had. The apple flavor is mellow and not too sweet, but it penetrates the roast completely. The apple juice keeps the pork from drying out--even leftovers were tender and moist. And don't skimp on the ingredients! Organic apple products are a thousand times more flavorful than conventional apple products and you want that rich apple flavor. Plus, the organic apple butter won't be loaded down with sweeteners and syrups that could really go awry when cooked.

The roast I used was a 3-pounder that was then split into two chunks. It cooks faster that way and allows the appley goodness to really soak in.

A minute or two under a broiler would probably caramelize the apple butter, but I wasn't about to risk drying out the meat. If you're brave enough to try, let me know how it goes. I'd be willing to bet this recipe would work pretty darn well with a turkey breast, as well.

Leftovers were absolutely delicious. Mr. Mallard sliced up his share and made a sandwich. Judging by the muffled sounds of delight coming from the dining room, I'm guessing it went well. I reheated mine with some leftover wild rice blend and it was so yummy.

Enjoy!

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