Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Crockpot Raspberry Applesauce and Apple Pickin' Pork Chops





I'm a HUGE fan of autumn which, incidentally, officially begins TODAY! That means its apple picking time again! We usually go 2-3 times each fall and that means lots of apple inspired recipes! My husband makes the world's best apple crisp. I'll have to get him to write a recipe for me so I can share it with you. It seems to be very free form though so I'm not sure he even knows any exact amounts.

Last night I opened my fridge and stared blankly at the sack of fresh picked apples...what to make? I had bought pork chops on sale yesterday and I love pork chops with applesauce so I decided to try my hand at some homemade applesauce! Upon further fridge digging I came across some raspberries that needed to be used up asap or they were on their way out so I took a chance and threw them in with the apples! Great risk...homemade raspberry applesauce is a WINNER, especially over pork chops!

Crockpot Raspberry Applesauce
(makes approx 5 cups of sauce)



Ingredients:

6 cups apples, washed, peeled, cored and cut into chunks (I used 2 large yellow delicious and 4 small macintosh)
2 cups raspberries, washed
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tsp. vanilla
2 Tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. water
3 Tbsp. agave nectar (or sweetner of your choice)

Instructions:

1. Put all ingredients except agave into crockpot. (If you are using sugar or brown sugar put it in now. I use agave because it is unrefined and low glycemic however when COOKED it loses those properties so I added it at the end.)

2. Cook on LOW for 5 hours.
3. Using a potato masher, mash until applesauce is the consistancy you like.
4. Let cool. Stir in agave nectar. Serve!


Apple Pickin' Pork Chops
(forgot to take a pic...sorry!)


Ingredients:
Pork chops (thick cut)
Salt
Pepper
Raspberry Applesauce

Instructions:
1. Preheat broiler.
2. Pat porkchops dry using a paper towel.
3. Salt and pepper both sides of pork chops.
4. Put chops on broiler pan and put in broiler.
5. Cook for 8 minutes.
6. Check to see if top of chops have browned. If so, flip and cook an additional 8 minutes.
7. Test internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Temp should be 155 degrees F.
8. When temp. has been reached, remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes.
9. Top with raspberry applesauce (or serve in a small bowl on the side). Serve!

I hope to use my remaining applesauce to make some muffins tomorrow so check back soon for that recipe! Also, don't forget last year's Apple Pickin' Chicken! That should give you 4 recipes for using those fresh picked apples so get pickin'!


4 comments:

Nick said...

I would suggest adding a little Herbes de Provence to the pork chops before broiling. Pairs nicely with the applesauce.

Celeste said...

That is my husband's way of saying that he actually cooked the pork chops even though I'm taking credit. Ha!

Snack-Girl said...

This looks delicious. Did your kids dip the pork chops in the sauce?

Celeste said...

We actually just dumped the sauce over the pork. Yum!