Crock Pot Love Affair...Gingered Pork & Prune Dinner

I haven't changed the fall wreath on the door...yet....change coming soon! But it was a dark and windy fall day...and I indulged my passion for my favorite piece of kitchen equipment...the Crock pot.  I got one in 1974 as a wedding present, and have continued to use it regularly since. I have had a half a dozen crock pots since then, and have a dozen crock pot cookbooks...although many of the older ones have to have recipes adapted to lighter eating.

This is a 1994 Better Homes And Gardens Crockery Cookbook I received as a gift back then and has several favorites I come back to, including the one I made...Gingered Pork And Prune Dinner, which is a favorite.

1 2-pound boneless shoulder roast (I used a pork sirloin roast I got at Costco)
2 tbs oil
3 tbs quick cooking tapioca (I used organic from the bins at our local farmer's market)
2 med cooking apples, cored and cut in 1/2 inch slices
4 med carrots bias sliced in 1/2 inch pieces
1 med onion cut into 1 inch chunks
1 cup pitted prunes snipped into quarters
1 cup chicken broth (I use low sodium organic)
3/4 cup apple juice
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp ground cloves
minced garlic to taste (my addition)

1. Trim the fat from the meat; cut pork into 1 inch cubes. In a large skillet brown pork, half at a time in the oil. Drain fat. 

2. Transfer to 3 1/2 to 4 quart crock pot.

Sprinkle with tapioca. Assemble apples, carrots, onions and prunes.

Add to the crock pot covering the pork.

3.  In a small bowl, combine broth, juices, spices and minced garlic if used. Mix and pour over mixture in crockpot.

4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high setting for 4 to 5 hours. Serve over hot cooked couscous, noodles or rice (we always use brown rice).

An added bonus is the glorious, spicy smell pervading the house all day! Definitely autumn in a pot. See why I love my crock pot??!

This is where all our local organic vegetables come from...Nash's Organic Produce...a favorite place, as you can easily see why...

Now it's time for a refreshing cup of tea from a 1980s bone china mug I found at an estate sale...perfect for fall, don't you think???

Thanks for joining me! Have a lovely week and have a cup of tea with a friend!

You might be interested in the first 2 parts of a blog series I am doing for my Tuesday Cuppa Tea meme on the cup shapes made by Shelley China, England until they closed in 1966. Click on the following if you would like to read them...

Shelley Cup Shapes Part 1

Shelley Cup Shapes Part 2

I am joining the following blogs...you'll love visiting and joining the parties!

Ivy And Elephants ~http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

What’s It Wednesday                                           

Sandi  ~  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Home On Wednesday

 Coloradolady  ~ http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Vintage Thingie Thursday

 Mrs. Olson ~  http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Share Your Cup ThursdayBeverley ~ http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/