Sunday, the “day of rest,” had a to-do list longer than Santa’s naughty/nice list. We were checking things off that list in a blur all day long. Prune Christmas tree so we can actually fit some presents under it? Check. Sweep up ridiculous amounts of pine needles that appear to spontaneously dive off of tree every time I walk by? Check. Decorate what is now left of tree? Check. Wash disgusting windows near the tree? Check.
These are the kinds of days when I often hit 5:00 pm, starving, and with no plan for dinner. That can be a real bummer if you like something more satisfying than scrambled eggs. Thankfully, my husband is a much better planner than myself. Before the day could get away from us, he took the lead and found a great new recipe online for the hunk of pork loin we had just bought. Thanks, Markus!
After several hours of slow-cooking, the aroma in the house was unbelievable! A mixture of clove, nutmeg, and garlic with the sweet tang of cranberry and pineapple promised a delicious dinner ahead. We were not disappointed. This was excellent, the meat tender, and the sauce so yummy, it is a shame there is hardly any leftover for tomorrow! The picture does not even do it justice – you just can’t photograph flavor.
Simple, simple, simple, too. Sprinkle this, pour that, then leave it alone for eight hours. Yeah, I think I can handle that. Wait, who am I kidding, I didn’t make this, but I am sure I could – and will! – again sometime soon. This recipe may just give my favorite pot roast a run for its money!
All hail the crockpot! Dinner made? Check.
Slow Cooker Pork with Sweet Savory Sauce
Serves 6
Adapted from About.com Southern Food section
1 boneless pork loin roast, about 2 1/2 -4 pounds
Salt & pepper
garlic powder
1 (1 lb.) can pineapple chunks, with juice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
1) Trim visible fat from pork, then set in bottom of crockpot.
2) Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder over the meat, to taste. (or ~ 1/4 teaspoon each)
3) Add nutmeg and cloves
4) Add cranberry sauce and pineapple chunks and juice.
5) Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours.
6) Remove meat to a platter, and put sauce from the crockpot into a serving bowl. Serve meat sliced with sauce over the top.
Enjoy!
Registered dietitian. Foodie. Mother of three. Wife. Coach and teammate. Scrapbooker. How to balance it all? I'm learning how to juggle. Check out my blog for family-approved healthy recipes, the occasional treat, and a little nutrition on the side. And maybe a laugh or two :)
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I made the slow cooker Pork with the Sweet Savory Sauce a couple of weeks ago and it was delicious. The pork was very tender and the sauce complimented it very well….thanks for sharing this recipe!!