Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

Before I made my "tv debut" last week, I watched several of the videos available to see what to do. One of the videos I watched was a chef from Stein Lodge in Utah making Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder. I knew I had to make it.  Apples, carrots, cider... it just screams Fall.  Plus, it bakes for a few hours in your oven or crockpot, making it a great end of day meal!

The finished product got two thumbs up from me and my husband. The meat is moist, and so flavorful. My 8yr old said "I like pork now!" It's definitely a make-again recipe !

The video can be found on Connect2Utah if you need visuals. I served the pork with some Butternut Squash, which recipe will be up soon!


Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

Steinlodge.com (KUTV)  
Serves 8-12  
Can also cook in the crock pot! Just brown the meat, saute the onions, and place everything in the crockpot.


Ingredients:
1 pork shoulder (or pork butt)
2 Tb olive oil
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp kosher salt
tsp cinnamon
tsp ground clove
tsp garlic salt
5 bay leaves
2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 apples, green or granny smith, cut into wedges
4 cups apple cider
2 Tb Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp cornstarch

Directions:
1. Clean pork shoulder of excess fat, rub the shoulder with the spices (pepper, salt, cinnamon, cloves, garlic salt)
2. Heat a thick bottom roasting pan over medium/high heat. Add the oil to the pan, then add the pork and brown on all sides for 3-5 minutes per side.
3. Add the bay leaves, onions, carrots, apples to pan and saute until onions are softened. Add the cider and the Worcestershire sauce.
4. Place a lid on the pan and place into a pre-heated oven. Cook at 310 degrees for 5 hours.
5. Remove the pork from the pan and pull from the bone, removing the fat.
6. Add cornstarch to the sauce remaining in the pan, place over medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer.
7. Strain the sauce, adjust seasoning and pour the sauce over the meat.

Enjoy! I know we did! 

A Baptism and Bean and Ham Soup

McKenzie, Mark (dad), Tanner- the special boy of the night, and Michael.

 Last week my oldest was Baptized. In my church, we are baptized when we turn 8. We are so proud of Tanner for making this decision. It was an amazing night. I was blown away by the number of family and friends that came to witness this special event.  My younger brothers were able to be "witnesses". My youngest brother is leaving on a mission in February, and so he had the authority to stand in the Priesthood circle to ordain Tanner a member of the church.  

I made the mistake of saying the opening prayer. I could barely get the words out, I was so overcome with emotion. My BABY is now old enough for this! I cried that he was old enough, and I cried because this is an amazing act in his young life. Later, as I listened to those around me singing Hymns, I was overcome by the LOVE that filled the room. These people were here for MY family. To celebrate with us, and to support us. It is an overwhelming feeling.

Thank you to those who came. It was a night that we will never forget. 

********

After the baptism, we held a dinner to thank those that came, and to celebrate. We had a variety of appetizers, ham, potatoes, salad, and cheesecake for dessert. Everyone enjoyed the dinner, and some recipes will be shared here in the next few days.

As I was cleaning up, I asked my Father-In-Law if he wanted the ham bones to make soup with. He didn't, and I just couldn't throw them away. I decided to try my hand at it! After cruising a few recipes, I tweaked them into my own. Everyone I shared it with (it makes a TON) loved it. I served it with Homemade Cornbread from Mels Kitchen Cafe. This is seriously the best cornbread ever! 

I made the soup in the crockpot, but it can also be made in a large soup pan. You can also do this without a ham bone- just add more chopped ham.

The Best Bean and Ham Soup

Recipe by The Double Dipped Life

1 (20oz) package of dried beans, soaked overnight (I used Great Northern White, but you can use any kind you like!)

1 ham bone

2 1/2 cups cubed ham (or more if you don't have a ham bone)

1 large onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

5 large carrots, peeled and chopped 

1 (14.5oz) can of diced tomatoes, with liquid

10 cups low sodium chicken broth (I used 10 cups water and 10 teas. chicken granules)

2 TB Worchestershire Sauce

1 TB Chili Powder (I had to use Cayenne, and it turned out great!)

3 Bay Leaves

1 teas. ground black pepper

1 Tb dried parsley

3 Tb lemon juice

1 teas kosher salt

1. Take the beans you have soaked overnight, and drain. Place them in a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and then simmer on low for at least 20 minutes, while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.  

2. Chop the veggies, and add everything to the crockpot.  Add in the beans.  The liquid should cover the ingredients. (I have a large crockpot, and it was full! I had to siphon off about 1/2 cup of liquid, and add it back in later) 

3. Set your crockpot on high for 6-8 hours. Stir every few hours- quickly.  The more time the lid is off, the longer it takes to cook! 

4. Remove the ham bone and the bay leaves.  

5. Optional step: Take a hand or immersion blender, and blend 1/4 - 1/2 of the soup. It ended up giving it a grainy-looking texture, but the taste was a lot smoother.  

Serve warm with Cornbread! 

Enjoy!