Braised Pork And Apple Casserole Recipe

Recipe developer Feta Topalu brings us this recipe for braised pork and apple casserole, which is a delightful fusion of succulent pork, tender apples, and aromatic spices. This dish is the perfect embodiment of hearty, soul-warming comfort food, making it ideal for a cozy family dinner or a gathering of friends. As the savory pork melds with the natural sweetness of apples and fragrant herbs and spices infuse every bite, your taste buds are in for a tantalizing experience.

While this dish is delightful all year round, Topalu tells us, "I love it when I can pick up the freshest apples from a local orchard in the fall." Fittingly, this dish is especially delicious during peak apple season.

If you are new to braising pork shoulder, don't fret. Topalu notes, "I believe even the novice home cook can whip this dish together. It's rather forgiving and it would take a lot to not get a delicious end result."

To make this dish, you can start by gathering your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need boneless pork shoulder, salt, pepper, olive oil, carrot, shallot, garlic, sage, flour, beef broth, Dijon mustard, and apples.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Pat the pork chunks dry with paper towels and season all over with salt and pepper.

Add the olive oil to a deep, oven-safe pan or braiser and place on the stovetop over medium-high heat.

Add the pork to the pan and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrot and shallots and saute for 3-4 minutes until soft.

Add the garlic and sage and cook for 1 more minute.

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add 2-3 tablespoons beef broth and stir to deglaze the pan. Then, slowly add in the remaining beef broth in small increments, stirring the whole time.

Stir in the Dijon mustard and season with more salt and pepper, to taste.

Return the pork to the pan and cover with a lid. Place into the oven and bake for 1 hour.

Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Add the sliced apple and stir to combine.

Return to the oven and bake for 30 more minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes and then serve over mashed potatoes, if desired.

Storing leftover braised pork and apple casserole properly is important to maintaining its flavor and prevent spoilage. Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature before storing, keeping in mind that leaving it out for too long at room temperature can promote bacterial growth. If you have a large batch of leftovers, consider portioning them into smaller containers. This will make it easier to reheat only what you need, preserving the quality of the dish. Once packed, transfer the casserole to the fridge and consume within 4 days. 

If you're unable to eat it all within that time frame, freezing is a great option. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, and be sure not to fill them up to the top, as liquids tend to expand as they freeze. It's also a good idea to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

Topalu recommends serving this dish over mashed potatoes, a classic side dish that complements the richness of the pork and the sweetness of the apples. However, if you are looking for other dishes to pair this with, she notes, "This casserole can be served with creamy polenta, spaghetti, or with a side of roasted balsamic brussels sprouts." And if you prefer your potatoes another way, roasted spuds with herbs and garlic can be a great choice, providing a crispy texture and earthy flavor alongside the velvety casserole. 

For a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pork, serve this dish with steamed or roasted vegetables such as green beans, carrots, or broccoli. Crusty bread or dinner rolls are a great way to soak up the delicious sauce, or, if you prefer grains, steamed rice or couscous can help sop up all the goodness while still acting as a neutral accompaniment.