Pork, Chilli and Apple Casserole
Set oven to 200 degrees Celsius
Preparation: 30 minutes. Cooking time (in oven) 1 hour
Ingredients
- For the Apple Sauce
- 2 big red apples
- 250ml water
- 100ml brown sugar
- For the Pork Casserole
- 4 Pork Loin Chops
- A Little Sunflower oil
- 1 small onion – chopped
- 1 clove garlic – chopped
- 1 chilli – chopped (for a milder flavor the seeds can be removed)
- 1 teaspoon hot curry powder
- 2 tablespoons Mrs Balls Hot Chutney
- 2 teaspoons Bisto powder
- 350ml – 450ml water
- Ground black pepper
- Ground sea salt
- Ground Chilli spice
- For the Rind (crackling)
- Rind (from the pork chops)
- Table salt
- For the Carrots
- 3 medium carrots
Method
- Prepare the Apple Sauce
1. Peel, core and chop apples
2. Fill pot with 250ml water and add 100ml brown sugar, bring to boil
3. Add the apples
4. Cook until soft, mash or hand blend. The consistency should be soft but not pureed
5. Set aside - Prepare the Carrots
1. Peel and cut into thin rounds
2. Set aside
- Prepare the Pork
1. Remove rind from the pork chops
2. Add a little sunflower oil to the pan and brown the pork chops
3. Set the pork chops aside (this will allow the meat to settle before adding to the casserole dish)
4. Add the chopped onions to the pan and cook until translucent
5. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds – 1 minute
6. Add the chopped chilli (I prefer a milder flavour so I remove the seeds)
7. Turn the hot plate down to a lower heat
8. Add the curry powder to the onion, garlic and chilli mixture
9. Cook for about a minute, (be careful not to burn it)
10. Add the 2 tablespoons of chutney and mix well
11. Add water to the pan and mix well
12. Mix 2 teaspoons of bisto in cold water and add to the mixture, add more water to the pan
13. Bring to the boil and cook for a 1 minute or so, adding more water if required.
14. There should be enough sauce to cover the pork chops and carrots
- Putting the Casserole together
1. Season both sides of the pork loin chops with Ground black pepper, ground sea salt and ground chilli spice
2. Layer the pork chops in the casserole dish
3. Spread on the apple sauce
4. Layer the carrots
5. Throw over the onion and chilli sauce, the sauce should cover the pork chops/carrots
6. Cover the dish and back in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 1 hour. Check after ½ hour
7. The carrots should be al dente
- Prepare the Rind (crackling)
1. Salt the rind
2. Cook in the microwave until crispy (this takes about 8-9 minutes) I cook it in 3 minute intervals, in this way I can track the progress and determine the actual time it will need to be crispy and delicious
- To Serve
Serve with Rice and Gems Squash and the all important Crackling
