Monday, September 13, 2010

Autumn Dinner

This is going to knock your socks off.  And by that I mean, lick your plate clean and go back for seconds.  It is THAT good!!!
Now, the recipe is my friend Linda's over at..................................................................................................
She has a charming blog, full of wonderful home decorating tips and ideas, antique shop hops, and good down home cooking.  She mentioned that her favorite go to Autumn meal was a pork roast cooked in the slow cooker, with apples and onions, and a packet of brown gravy mix mixed in, which makes up a delicious gravy to pour over your roast when serving.  Well if you know me at all, you know I rarely follow a recipe, but rather use it as a suggestion. I have cooked pork roasts dozens of ways.  I have done them in the slow cooker too, but haven't used the brown gravy mix before.  I could not stop thinking about this meal.  It  has been cooler here, and I have been decorating for fall, so this seemed like the perfect meal this week.  I did put my own twist on it too.  I bought a nice sized pork roast, 3 1/2 pounds.  If I am putting meat in the crocker, I always brown it first.  This gives it more flavor, I think.  So I seasoned it well on both sides, with cracked salt and cracked pepper and granulated garlic.  Then I dusted both sides with flour.  Meanwhile, get your pan screaming hot, add a couple T of oil to sear meat.
Isn't that a beautiful roast?  Once you place it into the pan, don't move it until it is browned and ready to turn over.  About 3 minutes per side or so.
While searing, cut up an onion or two, just a rough chop, and a couple of apples.  I only used three, but you could use as many as you want.  Again, just a rough chop, you want the pieces large.
You can see I used red and green apples.  Whatever you have will work fine.  After roast has finished browning nicely, place into crockpot and pour apples and onions over top.  Now, take a packet of brown gravy mix, and 1 cup or so of apple cider and whisk together, and pour over the top.  This is really where I sort of did my own thing here with Linda's recipe.  I don't know if she adds any liquid to hers or not.  I love the tang this added to the dish, and the smell while it was cooking was amazing!!  I turn the crocker to high for the first 2-3 hours of cooking and then down to low to finish off.  I know most recipes say lo all the way, but I find that I get better results this way, particularly with meats.  This is what it will look like when done.  I put this on at about 9:00 a.m., and we ate at about 6:00.  When Erika got here at 4 to pick Noah up she said, " WHAT are you cooking, it smells amazing!?"    I wound up cutting half off for her to take home.

I steamed butternut squash til just barely tender, then finished it off in the oven, after putting a pat of butter on top and sprinkling with brown sugar.  In the oven for five minutes on 450 to get a nice carmelization on top.  Also made garlic mash and put a ladle of the brown gravy over it and the roast.  Be sure to scoop up plenty of the cooked onions and apples too. 
I have to say......I cook....a LOT!  I have lots of favorite comfort foods.  THIS has moved to the top of my list!  It was one of the best meals I have ever had.  Truly.  MAKE. THIS. SOON.
And Linda....THANK YOU for the recipe and inspiration for a wonderful dinner for fall.
Bon Appetit!

23 comments:

Linda said...

Don saw me looking at your post and said...wow, can you make that this week? Thanks for the inspiration! As for a logo...I have business cards and labels that match, I just have to try and figure out how to get my etsy shop banner to match...I am waiting for Stephen's girlfriend to help me. Thanks for your nice words about my bags!

Donna (Timeless Settings) said...

This looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Donna

Stacey said...

Wow!! That looks amazing.. I usually cook my roasts in the crock pot but have never heard of using apples.. i love this idea.. I will be making this too :) You are the reason for my growing cookbook :) thanks for sharing!!! Yum!!

Amy said...

This looks so good. I love crock pot recipes too and I love to get new ones. I think this will be on the list for cooking very soon!

Genn said...

Oooh this sounds delightful and I can almost smell it!

Can't wait to try it.

glor said...

Ok, its 8:15 in the morning, after breakfast and now I'm starving! This looks so good ... I will be making this. Such a perfect fall night dinner. Thanks for posting! Have a nice day.

Faith said...

oh yes..count me in to..comfort food...nothing is better...I bet it just smelled wonderful cooking all day slowly...and smooshed taters and gravy..I am definately
in.for this one. thank you.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

OH sista!! I would add the cider too if hubby liked it that way! YUMMO YUMMO! I d add garlic too. And searing it first is the BEST way to make it. I just knew a lot of blogging gals won't do that. I am so glad you enjoyed it! I do not use pkged stuff very much but since DH didn't like it with just the S&P, garlic and apple cider the first time, I knew I needed more flavor and I grabbed a pkt of that and it worked! We alway have it with taters and butternut squash too!

Tomorrow I am using the leftover pork to make his mom's version of chop suey. YUMM!

Have a great day!

Unknown said...

On my list for our return. I love all things Crockpot as it let's me worry about all the fun stuff during the day.

Here's a link to a past posting for Chicago Style Italian Beef.

http://thegardenbell.blogspot.com/2009/11/glenda-vs-wicked-witch-of-west-wwofw.html

Toodles,
Kate

P.S. It's a 300m Telephoto lens. The macro is still my fav, but wasn't he sweet.

Maryrose said...

That looks and sounds delicious. Fall is definitely in the air and time for all those good comfort foods.
Happy Belated Birthday to Greg. It looks like you had a nice time with the fam
Aloha

Anonymous said...

I beleive I said..."Holy mother of amazing food what smells so good in here?"

Thanks for sending me home with some it sure was yummy!!

Kris said...

Oh Erika...I am cracking up!!! I believe that IS what you said!!!

Katie said...

Yet another one of your delicious recipes to add to my menu! I bet this smells as wonderful as it looks, makes my mouth water!

Pam said...

Mmmm. This is my kind of comfort food - it looks excellent Kris.

Charlee said...

I read thsi yesterday and it stuck in my head so I am going to the store to try this tonight!

Kelly said...

If I liked pork I would make it. Maybe I can try it with a brsket or rump roast or something. it does look good!

Cathy said...

Wow, Kris, that's quite the recommendation. How can I not try this after your rave reviews? I love this kind of meal, slowly cooked to bring out all the wonderful flavors. This is fall comfort food

Anonymous said...

I just saved your blog into my Google Reader...you make me hungry!
;-D

Charlee said...

We had this lastnight and it was soooo goood and my kids and hubby gobbled it up fast!

Karen said...

Yummmmmm - what time is dinner, lol. This is one I need to try really soon - it contains everything I like. thanks for sharing
Karen

The Tuscan Home said...

Yum!! I was looking for an Autumn dish to make and now we're talking! Your pictures and write up are wonderful. I plan on making this for my family this weekend. Thanks a bunch for sharing! XO ~Liz

P.S. Thanks for commenting on my fall post! *smile*

Sue Pinner said...

oooh l'm no cook but l think l might manage that one..looks sooooooo yummy
Thanks for sharing
Going to try the Butternut soup today
wish me luck 'cos my son used to come in and say..'what have you burn't for tea Mom?' hehe
Hugs Suz x

Holly said...

This is in my crock pot right now! I cut my finger chopping the apples so my daughter had to finish putting everything in the crockpot since I was feeling weak from the three drops of blood I lost. Seriously though, it won't stop bleeding! Not very appetizing huh? I'll let you know how it turns out!