Pork Stew with Hard Cider, Pearl Onions, and Potatoes

Health score
51%
Pork Stew with Hard Cider, Pearl Onions, and Potatoes
45 min.
6
769kcal

Suggestions


Imagine a warm and hearty bowl of Pork Stew that captivates your senses with every bite. This delicious dish pairs tender chunks of pork shoulder with the sweet-tart notes of hard apple cider, creating a delightful balance that will leave you craving more. The addition of unpeeled baby red potatoes and fresh Granny Smith apples not only brings vibrant colors to your plate but also adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.

The process is surprisingly simple yet yields a comforting meal perfect for any occasion—be it a cozy weeknight dinner or a festive gathering with friends. Each step builds anticipation as you cook the bacon to a crispy perfection, followed by searing the pork until beautifully browned. The gentle simmering of the stew allows the components to meld together, producing tender meat and a rich, savory broth.

What truly sets this recipe apart is its hint of Calvados, an optional apple brandy, which enhances the fruity undertones of the cider. The inclusion of fresh sage ties everything together, providing an aromatic touch that lingers in the air as you serve this delightful meal. Whether you’re seated at the dining table or savoring a bowl on the couch, this Pork Stew with Hard Cider, Pearl Onions, and Potatoes will make you feel at home. So gather your loved ones, and indulge in a meal that is as heartwarming as it is delicious!

Ingredients

  • tablespoons all purpose flour 
  • 12 ounce apple cider hard
  • 1.5 pounds baby potatoes red unpeeled scrubbed halved ( 2 inches in diameter)
  • tablespoons butter room temperature ()
  • 0.5 cup calvados (apple brandy; optional)
  • servings coarse kosher salt 
  • 3.5 pounds country ribs boneless fat trimmed cut into 2-inch cubes (Boston butt)
  • teaspoons sage fresh divided chopped
  • large granny smith apples cored peeled cut into 1-inch cubes ( 3 cups)
  • cups low-salt chicken broth 
  • cup parsnips finely chopped
  • 30 inch diameter pearl onions (from two 10-ounce bags)
  • cup shallots chopped ( 4 large)
  • slices bacon thick-cut (preferably applewood-smoked)
  • tablespoon grain dijon mustard whole

Equipment

  • bowl
  • sauce pan
  • pot

Directions

  1. Cook onions in large saucepan of boilingsalted water 2 minutes; transfer to bowl ofice water to cool. Peel onions; set aside.
  2. Cook bacon in heavy large pot overmedium heat until lightly browned. Usingslotted spoon, transfer bacon to papertowels to drain.
  3. Sprinkle pork shoulder withcoarse salt and pepper. Increase heat tomedium-high. Working in 2 batches, addpork to same pot and cook until browned,about 7 minutes per batch. Using slottedspoon, transfer pork to large bowl. Reduceheat to medium; add shallots and parsnips.Cover pot and cook until beginning tosoften, stirring occasionally, about 5minutes. Stir in 3 teaspoons sage; stir 1minute.
  4. Add 1/2 cup Calvados, if using; cookuntil almost evaporated, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add broth, cider, reserved bacon, and porkwith any accumulated juices. Bring to boil,scraping up any browned bits with woodenspoon. Reduce heat to medium-low; coverand simmer until pork is tender, about1 hour 15 minutes.
  6. Add potatoes and pearl onions to stew;cover and cook until vegetables are almosttender, about 30 minutes.
  7. Add apples;cover and cook until potatoes are tender,15 to 20 minutes. Spoon fat from surface ofjuices, if necessary. Stir butter and flour insmall bowl to form paste; add to pot andwhisk to blend. Stir in mustard, 2 teaspoonssage, and 1 tablespoon Calvados, if using.Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium andsimmer until thickened, stirring often, 2 to3 minutes. Season to taste with salt andpepper. DO AHEAD: Stew can be made 1 dayahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovereduntil cold, then cover and keep chilled.Simmer stew over medium heat to rewarmbefore serving.
  8. Divide stew among bowls, sprinklewith remaining 1 teaspoon sage, and serve.
  9. * Alcoholic apple cider; available in theliquor department of most supermarketsand at liquor stores.
  10. Hard cider is a naturalpairing with the stew. Try the dry, appley
  11. Magners ($11 per six-pack, Ireland).
  12. Bon Appétit

Nutrition Facts

Calories769kcal
Protein38.69%
Fat32.34%
Carbs28.97%

Properties

Glycemic Index
72.92
Glycemic Load
24.55
Inflammation Score
-7
Nutrition Score
45.51956510803%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
1.18mg
Peonidin
0.01mg
Catechin
1.68mg
Epigallocatechin
0.19mg
Epicatechin
8.27mg
Epicatechin 3-gallate
0.01mg
Epigallocatechin 3-gallate
0.14mg
Luteolin
0.09mg
Isorhamnetin
0.64mg
Kaempferol
1.09mg
Myricetin
0.01mg
Quercetin
6.9mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:769.06kcal
38.45%
Fat:25.79g
39.68%
Saturated Fat:9.52g
59.51%
Carbohydrates:51.99g
17.33%
Net Carbohydrates:44.71g
16.26%
Sugar:18.92g
21.03%
Cholesterol:188.59mg
62.86%
Sodium:634mg
27.57%
Alcohol:6.68g
100%
Alcohol %:1.16%
100%
Protein:69.42g
138.84%
Copper:6.54mg
327.09%
Vitamin B3:29.41mg
147.05%
Vitamin B1:1.99mg
132.39%
Vitamin B6:2.55mg
127.38%
Selenium:77.37µg
110.53%
Vitamin B2:1.38mg
81.46%
Phosphorus:800.65mg
80.06%
Potassium:1991.31mg
56.89%
Zinc:6.36mg
42.37%
Vitamin B12:2.54µg
42.31%
Vitamin C:34.14mg
41.38%
Manganese:0.77mg
38.4%
Vitamin B5:3.46mg
34.6%
Magnesium:127.04mg
31.76%
Fiber:7.27g
29.1%
Iron:4.71mg
26.14%
Folate:55.94µg
13.98%
Vitamin K:9.52µg
9.06%
Calcium:87.56mg
8.76%
Vitamin E:0.96mg
6.39%
Vitamin A:174.3IU
3.49%
Source:Epicurious