Apple Cinnamon Pork Roast

I love slow cooker recipes   LOVE them.  The time just leading into dinner is so crazy-Daddy getting home from work, Little Asher just getting up from nap, Little Joy finishing nap and video time, dinner getting finished-its like a giant chaotic convergence!  Slow cooker meals allow me to do all the cooking/prep during a quiet time and minimize the chaos.

This recipe is inspired by one from Parents Magazine.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2.5-3 lb pork loin roast (tenderloin if its on sale)
• 1-2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 medium sweet onion cut into thin slices
• 3/4 apple cider (or apple juice but cider is better)
• 2 Jonagold apples, cored and thinly sliced (save the core)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 16 oz bag coleslaw mix (half the bag is actually plenty)

Steps:

1. Trim edges of roast if it will not fit in your slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle roast with salt, pepper and thyme.
3. Heat oil in large pan.
4. Place roast in hot oil and sear on all sides (until slightly brown) .
5. Layer onion in bottom of slow cooker and place roast on top.
6. Pour apple cider over roast.
7. Cover and cook on high for 2-2.5 hours.
8. While the meat is cooking, core apples and thinnly slice.  Toss the cores in the slow cooker.
9. Place apples in a ziplock along with lemon juice and cinnamon.  Shake the bag well to coat the apples.  Place the apples in the fridge (this way everything is ready to serve).
10. After meat is cooked (2-2.5 hours), remove cores, add apples and add slaw mix.
11. Cover and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
12. Remove roast and place on a platter.  Allow to rest for ten minutes.
13. Using a slotted spoon transfer veggies to the platter and drizzle cooking juices over meat and veggies.

Timing:  Meat can be chewy, I would wait until one year.  Our pork was very tender though so depending on how experienced an eater you have, it could be offered earlier.

Storage:  Fridge 3-5 days.

Yield: 8 servings

Difficulty:  2 out of 5; Like I said, I love slow cooker meals and this one was different than the usual over cooked veggie slow cooker meals.  It cook about 15 minutes to prep everything and then a couple hours to cook---I would say that's easy!

Epicutie Ratings:

• Little Joy:  Yummy in the Tummy minus the slaw.  I figured the kids wouldnt be keen on the slaw, but she loved the apples, onions and meat!
• Little Asher:  Somewhat Yummy minus the slaw.  He liked the meat and apples ok...he doesnt LOVE anything thats not a fruit :/  He is my strong willed one, LOL!

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