Tender slow cooker pork and apple cider

Source: Angelika Heine from Getty Images (Canva Pro)

Slow cooker recipes like this delicious pork are a winner as they’re so easy to make and the flavour is spot on every time. This one calls for fennel and apple cider, which give it a beautiful warmth while fresh thyme is the perfect finish.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5kg piece pork neck
  • 12 eschalots, peeled
  • 2 small fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 355ml bottle apple cider
  • 1 cup (250ml) chicken stock
  • 3 large pink lady apples, cored, cut into thick wedges
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • Steamed or mashed potato, to serve
  • Steamed broccoli, to serve

Method

  • Preheat oven to 150C/130C fan-forced.
  • Heat oil in a large, heavy-based, flame-proof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Add pork. Cook for 8 minutes each side or until browned. Remove from heat.
  • Add eschalots, fennel and garlic. Pour over cider and stock. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and bake for 2 1/2 hours. Remove from oven, add apple and continue to bake for 1/2 hour or until apple is tender. Stand for 10 minutes.
  • Remove apple wedges and dice into small pieces to top pork with when serving (this is just a serving suggesting; you can leave the wedges whole if you prefer).
  • Slice pork. Sprinkle with thyme and top with apple. Serve with steamed or mashed potato and broccoli.

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