Pork & Cider Stew

This is one of the dishes I like to make the most. First, it is really easy and second, it has a unique combination of tastes. The onion, apple and sweet potatoes all combine to make special savor to it. The pepper adds a little bit of kick as do the sage and thyme. Overall, it is one of the best dishes I have ever made in a slow cooker.

Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes or yams
3 small parsnips or carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 cup chopped onion (one large onion)
2-lb boneless pork shoulder (stew meat)
1 large Granny Smith apple, cored, peeled and diced (most any apple will do)
1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp each dried sage and thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup apple cider or juice

Mix the sweet potatoes, parsnips, onion, pork and apple in the slow cooker. Stir flour, salt, sage, thyme and pepper in a small bowl to mix. Add cider. Stir until smooth and pour over meat and veggies.

Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours. I have never had it take that long. When pork and sweet potatoes are tender it is done!

Serve with some dark bread and butter. It is rather sweet, so wines are not good for this dish. Beer works better, something dark. This is great on a cold, rainy winter day in SE Alaska.