Slow cooker pork and orange casserole

Slow cooker pork and orange casserole

I've been making my slow cooker pork, leek and apple casserole for some time now. It seems many other people also enjoy it as it is the most viewed recipe on JibberJabberUK. However, I decided that it was time to do something different with one of the many packs of diced pork I had in the freezer (all bought reduced of course). It's that time of year that citrus fruits are in season and in abundance in the shops. That is except for blood oranges which I can't find for love nor money round here and was needed for vital cake purposes this week.

Since I've already matched pork with lemon I thought I'd go with orange this time. So in this recipe is a fresh whole orange, orange juice and orange marmalade. To give it a bit more warming winter spice without the heat I've also added cinnamon. After rooting round the kitchen I found some shallots left over from my ale braised beef so they have gone in as well. As ever this is a 'throw it all in' recipe but for me that's the beauty of using a slow cooker.

As this contains oranges in a variety of forms I am sending this to Victoria at A Kick At The Pantry Door for this month's orange themed Feel Good Food.

The Slow Cooker Challenge run by Janice at Farmersgirl Kitchen has an open theme this month. I will try not to deluge her with too many entries but there is a prize this month...

Since I have also found a use for shallots I'm also sending this to the No Waste Food Challenge run by Elizabeth at Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary and this month's host Fiona at London Unattached

Serves 4

Equipment: Slow cooker/Crockpot

Ingredients

1lb (450g) Diced pork

1 Onion, sliced

½ pint (300ml) Chicken stock

1 tsp (5ml) Ground cinnamon

1 tsp (5ml) Dried thyme

6½ fl oz (200ml or standard carton size) Orange juice

3 tbsp (45ml) Orange marmalade

1 Orange, sliced (keep the peel on)

8 Shallots

Black pepper to season

1 tbsp (15ml) Cornflour mixed with 1 tbsp (15ml) cold water

Method

1. Heat the slow cooker on high while you prepare the ingredients.

2. Add all the ingredients except for the cornflour to the slow cooker.

3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

4. 20 minutes before serving add the cornflour and water mixture to the slow cooker and stir in.

Serve with potatoes and vegetables of your choice.