Pork and Apple with Cider in Crockpot...help?

[Hollanda]

I tried a new.dish today...pork and apple in a cider based sauce, with onion and potatoes served separately. It was pretty nice, the apple reduced right down to make a thick-ish sauce. Other than honey and a dash of mustard on the pork before cooking, is there anything else I could have added? I am being a little experimental in the kitchen and would.welcome  advice. Xxx

[Namárië]

Caraway seeds. I make a pork, cider, and root vegetable stew and it uses them. I'm not a big fan, but the stew doesn't taste nearly as good without the caraway seeds.

[Zilla]

I am not sure what you are asking, was there something wrong with it?

[Hollanda]

No...just wondering if there is anything else I can put in it?  we both like strong tastes, no allergies or anything. Just scouting for ideas really!

[MrsCrazyPete]

I like to put the onions in the crockpot with everything else. Apples & onions go very well together!

[Lorelei_Evil]

Sage and onion.  Mates perfectly with those flavors.

[Zilla]

No...just wondering if there is anything else I can put in it?  we both like strong tastes, no allergies or anything. Just scouting for ideas really!

I agree with others, sage, onions etc.  It's a pretty set recipe with the apple and pork with cider.  You don't want to add too much more or it distorts the flavors.


That's why I asked if there was something wrong as in being too sweet, or watery etc.

[MorgnsGrl]

We like this recipe -

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/130/Creamy_Pork__Apples_with_Cornmeal_Biscu5896.shtml

It's got pork, apples and onions cooked in white wine (though you could use cider instead) and seasoned with sage, white pepper and nutmeg. At the end you add a little cream and some cornstarch to thicken it up, and there's also a recipe for cornmeal biscuits. It's delicious.

[blarg314]

A bit of cider vinegar in the pot along with the cider for more punch to the final sauce.

[sparksals]

Cinnamon or allspice. 
Cranberries
Ginger
maple syrup
Few shakes of chili flakes


You could also make a sweetish/kickish rub to put on the pork. 


I personally wouldn't use sage on pork.. I use that on poultry.  When I do pork, I do sweeter sauces/ rubs. 

[Mikayla]

Another option for a strong apple flavor is Calvados, but I'm not sure about how you'd use it in the crockpot.  I've only used it with oven casseroles, but I'd think a few splashes would be fine.  I love using poultry with apple brandy. 

[jpcher]

A bit of cider vinegar in the pot along with the cider for more punch to the final sauce.

I agree with this. Even white vinegar works -- it adds a bit of tang and cuts the sweetness.

[Zilla]

A bit of cider vinegar in the pot along with the cider for more punch to the final sauce.

I agree with this. Even white vinegar works -- it adds a bit of tang and cuts the sweetness.

I forgot about this, I do this for any braised or long cooked dishes.  It does brighten the sauce.  I often do it with a lemon or lime, just a touch.