A crumpled paper towel is on the counter. It is left out to dry and be re-used later. An old percolator coffee pot used to strain and store bacon grease is in the cabinet below. Beside the pot are grocery bags to be used as garbage bags. Various containers are in the refrigerator filled with leftovers. This was the kitchen in my parent's house when I was a kid. My parents were frugal and thrifty. Food and so much more was never wasted. We had what was left of big meals throughout the following week and beyond. I may not re-use paper towels however I do my best to utilize leftovers. An Apple Cider Braised Pork Roast can be re-invented in lots of ways and frozen to be enjoyed months later.
The pork roast simmers for hours in a dutch oven. Apple cider and onions flavor the roast and give it a subtle sweetness. After the roast has cooked, fresh tart apples, apricots, cardamom, and cinnamon go in the pot. The apples and apricots soften as they cook and become side dish to compliment the pork. Reducing the cooking liquids makes a sweet/savory and lightly spiced sauce to tie all the flavors together.
The leftover pork slices can be used in many ways. You can use them in a sandwich, cut them into pieces and add to pasta or a salad. I can see warming them in a pan with barbecue sauce and serving on a bun or Texas Toast. The fruit can be a snack or re-heated and topped with vanilla ice cream for a dessert. Note that there will be a slight savory element with the fruit because of being cooked in sauce. A tip about re-inventing leftovers: Think about complimentary flavors to the ingredients of the original dish. Make a homemade dressing using apple cider vinegar for a salad with this pork. The elements of the salad would be things that go with pork and apples. It's easy to do! Be creative and have fun.
Today's Sunday Supper is about big meals and re-inventing leftovers. American Family Insurance understands the value of families spending time together cooking and enjoying a meal together. AmFam has launched a Back To The Family Dinner Table campaign and has partnered with Sunday Supper for our event.
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Do you re-invent leftovers? It's fun to transform them into a whole new dish. Plus it gives a variety of meals for your family. Be sure to scroll down to the recipes by Sunday Supper bloggers. Visit each one for tips, ideas, and inspiration on what to do with leftovers.
Apple Cider Braised Pork Roast
Ingredients
- 3 to 3 ½ pound boneless pork roast loin end
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 ½ cups apple cider
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 medium cooking apples Granny Smith recommended
- 6 ounces dried apricot pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat oil in a 6- to 8-quart Dutch oven until almost smoking. Brown pork on all sides in the hot oil. Transfer browned pork to a plate and discard fat.
- Add apple cider, onion, salt, and pork to the Dutch oven. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and simmer until meat is tender, about 2 to 2 ½ hours.
- Remove pork and place on a cutting board. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice and place on a serving platter. Cover with foil to keep warm.
- Core apples and cut into wedges. Cut dried apricots in half (if not already in pieces).
- Add apples, apricots, cardamom, and cinnamon to the dutch oven. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and simmer until fruit in tender, about 5 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer apples and apricots to the serving platter. Re-cover with foil to keep warm until serving.
- Bring the juices in the Dutch oven to a gentle boil and cook until reduced to 1 cup, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Spoon cider sauce over meat and fruit or serve on the side.
Notes
Recipe adapted from one in a Publix Grape Magazine.
Recipes for big meals and ideas for re-inventing leftovers by Sunday Supper bloggers:
- Apple Cider Braised Pork Roast by Magnolia Days
- Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf by girlichef
- Baked Barbecue Chicken by Alida's Kitchen
- Brined and Roasted Turkey by Growin Up Gabel
- Chicken Cacciatore by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Cider Braised Pork Belly by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs with Homemade Tomato Sauce by Neighborfood
- Coffee Rubbed Ham by Curious Cuisiniere
- Glazed Ham with Bonus Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes & Ham by The Foodie Army Wife
- Herb Crusted Roast Beef by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Herbed Pork Loin on Spaetzle by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Picadillo-Stuffed Chiles Rellenos by Foxes Love Lemons
- Pork Tinga by Juanita's Cocina
- Roast Psycho Chicken by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Vegetables by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Shrimp Scampi & Sushi by NinjaBaking.com
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken by In The Kitchen With KP
- Slow-Cooker BBQ-Rubbed Turkey Breast by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Spicy Turkey Meatloaf by Runner's Tales
- Sunday Supper Spicy Portuguese Pulled Pork by Family Foodie
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
Remember Zig Ziglar? Your parents sound like the wise and very rich motivational speaker...Your tips, too, are very wise, Renee =) The idea of using apples and apricots as a side for the pork and then into salad is brilliant!
Thanks Kim! I do remember Zig Ziglar and he had many good tips and bits of advice to share.
I love apples and pork together, the apricots sound like a really good addition. I'd bet those flavors add so much to bbq pork sandwiches out of the leftovers!
Oh yes, the flavors are a wonderful match for BBQ sauce. The sandwiches are incredible.
Renee, my mom totally reuses paper towels too! And she isn't even super-thrifty! But this looks incredible. Love the addition of apricot. And I think a salad with the leftovers would be fantastic.
Funny how so many of our parents reuse paper towels.
Pork roast is one of my favorite Sunday Suppers! I think I grew up in the same kind of household...my mom would rinse and reuse her ziplock bags and paper towels were considered a luxury 🙂
Mine never rinsed and reused ziplock bags but they did reuse a whole lot more things than I ever have.
I love that we both did cider braised pork dishes but in two different ways. Apples and pork just belong together and it's is so versatile.
I totally agree that pork and apples belong together and I am going to make your pork belly recipe. It looks incredible.
I am imagining the wonderful aromas in the kitchen with this roasting in the oven. This is just beautiful, Renee!
It does fill the air with the most wonderful aroma. I like to go outside for a while just so I can come in and take a big whiff.
I love the idea of using apricots. I really don't think about using those enough.
I don't use apricots often enough either. I really do enjoy them too.
Pork roast was always one of my favorite things to eat as a leftover...in a sandwich! Your version sounds absolutely delicious, I love the apple and apricot!
Thanks Heather
What a beautiful platter. That would look great on my Sunday Supper table!
Thank you Courtney and the platter itself is a piece from my china which I don't use often. I really should instead of letting it sit in the cabinet.
This just SCREAMS fall to me. I would love to have this for dinner!
Thanks Jen, it sure is a great fall dish.
Renee - this sounds like heaven. I can almost taste it through my screen. Perfection!
Thanks much Bea!
What a beautiful dish. The pork looks so moist. yum!
Thanks Conni
Love your writing, Renee. I'm a big believer in re-purposing as much as possible as well. Lovely dish - apple cider and pork is one of my favorite flavor pairings!
Thank you so much for the compliment on my writing. It really made my day.
I love the idea of using those apples to contrast vanilla ice cream. Great suggestion.
Thanks. I figured some folks wouldn't mind the bit of savory in the fruit to go with ice cream.
What a perfect meal for fall! I had a chicken dish some what like this I used to make years ago - but there were never any leftovers! LOL
Any roast of whole chicken here makes leftovers with just the two of us. I can imagine it would be different for a big family.
What is it about pork and apples that just work so well together? This looks incredible.
It's a great flavor combo for sure.
Mmmmm...pork and apples are perfect for fall. Anytime my husband makes pork chops I break out the applesauce. BTW...I am constantly putting my paper towels on the counter and I reuse them. My husband thinks I should just use less paper towels. hahaha!
My parents always served apple sauce with pork chops too. And good to see another paper towel re-user.
Pork roast is a favorite in our house! Yours looks amazing, Renee. I love the colors with the apricots and apples.
Thanks Isabel
You are so very creative!
Thank you Jamie for such a nice compliment.
Love this apple touch on regular pork roast, would be a hit in our house!
Thanks Pamela and we were stuffed after this meal. Both of us kept going back to the platter for another slice and some apples and apricots.
Can't wait to try this - have some apple cider in the frig I need to use up. I try to be saving, but my mother was ridiculous. She saved plastic bread bags among other things!