Apple Fried Rice

October 27, 2013
It's an apple-icious twist on a classic!  Chopped apples, celery, and pecans combine to create this flavorful, seasonally-inspired  Apple Fried Rice


One of my favorite things about fall is fresh apples.  See, I'm kinda picky about my apples.  They've got to be super crunchy ... and on the tart side.  Soft and mealy textured?  Won't touch 'em.  Little soft spots or shrively skin?  Nope - no way.  Sweet?  Won't do that either.  I know, it's one of my weird little food 'things' ... please tell me I'm not the only one.
3

Pumpkin Spice White Russian

October 26, 2013
Add a fabulous seasonal twist to your cocktail line-up with this delicious Pumpkin Spice White Russian!  It's just perfect for fall sipping.  Thank you to Coffee-mate for sponsoring this post.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Pumpkin Spice White Russians - Add a fabulous seasonal twist to your cocktail line-up ... perfect for fall sipping.   www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


I fully embrace fall.  

I remember as a kid growing up in Vermont, I couldn't wait for the leaves to change color and start falling.  My Dad would rake the leaves into huge piles ... and then my brother and I would run as fast as we could and jump in the pile, scattering them all over again like a big burst of fall leaf fireworks.

And Dad would rake them all up and ... let us do it again.  And again.  And again.  He's a great Dad like that.

Now as a grown-up living in North Carolina, I always look forward to the beautiful fall weather.  Truly, fall in Carolina just can't be beat.  

And, of course, I can't wait each fall to get cooking with fall seasonal flavors ... pumpkin, apple, gingerbread, spice ... all those wonderfully warm and comforting flavors we think of that help us celebrate and enjoy the fall season.

Add a fabulous seasonal twist to your cocktail line-up with this delicious Pumpkin Spice White Russian!  It's just perfect for fall sipping.

Well guess what?  
11

Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin

October 20, 2013
Combine apples, cinnamon, honey, and boneless pork loin in the slow cooker and you'll have one totally delicious, easy meal.  Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin is just perfect for Fall.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin Image

You've heard of cinnamon and apples.  And honey with cinnamon.  Right?  But cinnamon and pork?  Probably not so much.

No, cinnamon and pork probably isn't a standard flavor combination that pops in your head.  But as I recently discovered, pork and cinnamon are really yummy together.

Combine apples, cinnamon, honey, and boneless pork loin in the slow cooker and you'll have one totally delicious, easy meal. 

Especially when you put pork and cinnamon and honey and apples all together.  In a slow cooker.  And add some onions, too.

Are you intrigued like I was when I first heard about putting these flavors all together?  Oh, I think you should be!  Because this slow cooker combination delivers up one tasty and satisfying meal that's just perfect for Fall.  

To make this tasty meal, start with a boneless pork loin that's about 2 or 3 pounds and cut some slits all across the top, about an inch deep and about an inch apart.  These slits are going to hold a yummy drizzle of honey and apple slices to bring great flavor into the meat.

Preparing Pork Loin to Make Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin Image

Next, season the pork loin with salt, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg -- all over and inside the slits.

Brown the pork loin on all sides on the stove top.  This step is optional, but browning the meat before placing it in the slow cooker give the meat color and brings increased depth of flavor to the finished dish.

Searing Pork Loin to Make Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin Image

Then place the browned pork lin in the slow cooker, drizzle it all over with honey, and stuff apple slices into the slits.

Looks good already, doesn't it?

How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin Image

Add some more apples, some onions, and some more cinnamon to the crock pot.

How to Make Crock Pot Apple Pork Loin with Honey and Cinnamon Image

And then let the slow cooker do its thing for about six hours.

Aren't slow cookers great like that?  I mean seriously, walk away for hours ... and hours ... and hours ... And when you come back, you've got deliciousness!  Like this super tasty Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin.

It's a beautiful thing.

Oh, and guess what ... cinnamon and onions are really good together, too.

Enjoy!

Platter of Crock Pot Apple Pork Loin Image
Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!



slow cooker apple pork loin recipe, crock pot apple pork loin recipe, pork loin, fall crock pot recipes, apple pork roast
Main Dishes
American
Yield: about 10-12 servings

Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin

Combine apples, cinnamon, honey, and boneless pork loin in the slow cooker and you'll have one totally delicious, easy meal that's just perfect for Fall.
prep time: 20 Mcook time: 6 Mtotal time: 26 M

ingredients:

  • 2 to 3 lb. boneless pork loin roast
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 2 or 3 apples, cored and sliced (peel left on)
  • 2 or 3 onions, peeled and left whole
  • 1/4 c. apple cider, apple juice, chicken broth, or water
  • 4 T. honey
  • 2 T. olive oil

instructions:

How to cook Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin

  1. Cut slits, about 1/2 to 1 inch deep, across the top of the pork loin. Sprinkle all sides and inside the slits with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon. OPTIONAL: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place pork loin in the Dutch oven and brown on all sides. 
  2. Scatter a few apple slices in the bottom of the slow cooker; pour in apple cider (or other chosen liquid). Place pork loin on top of apples. Drizzle honey into each slit and all over the top of the loin; place an apple slice in each slit. Fit remaining apple slices and onions around and on top of pork loin. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
  3. Cook on low setting for 6 hours.
TRACEY'S NOTES
  1. Browning the pork loin is an optional step. I brown my loin prior to putting it in the slow cooker to give color and more depth of flavor. But this step can be skipped, if you'd like.
  2. If your crockpot/slow cooker is like mine, you may need to get creative to fit the pork loin in it. I usually have to cut the end off and place it in along the side. Hey, whatever works, right?
Created using The Recipes Generator

You might also enjoy these other scrumptious slow cooker dinner recipes:

20

Halloween No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert

October 16, 2013
Classic no-bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert is all dressed up for Halloween!



When it comes to Halloween, I have to admit I'm pretty low-key.  Halloween is just one holiday that I don't get into all that much.  I think it may have something to do with the fact that I broke my nose on Halloween when I was five years old falling down the stairs wearing my costume we'd made in Kindergarten class.  Hmmm, haven't been much of a fan of the holiday ever since.

So when my 2nd grade students ask me with super enthusiasm, "Mrs. Harrelson, what are you going to be for Halloween?" my response is always ...
16

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cheesecake {& I'm glad termites don't eat sweets}

October 13, 2013
Cheesecake for breakfast??  Sure!  With this Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cheesecake ... sandwiched in a crescent roll crust ... you can indulge in cheesecake for breakfast.

We've been indulging in cheesecake for breakfast around here.  Yes, cheesecake for breakfast!  Hey, why not, right?  I figure with cinnamon-spiced apples and creamy cheesecake sandwiched between a crescent roll crust, it's kinda like a danish ... only easier.  And in my opinion, yummier.

I'm just glad termites don't eat sweets.

8

Turtle Krispie Treats

October 11, 2013
Transform classic krispie treats into scrumptious and fun Turtle Krispie Treats with layers of ooey-gooey caramel, chocolate, and chopped pecans on top.  It's krispie treats all jazzed up!

Thank you to Concord Foods Caramel Apple Wrap for sponsoring this post.

Hey, have you heard of Concord Foods Caramel Apple Wrap?  Until a few weeks ago, I hadn't either.  But now I'm having tons of fun creating with this versatile caramel product!  The realm of their possibility goes waaaaaaaaaay beyond the basic caramel apple.  They work fabulously for adding a layer of caramel in your baked goods, or ... as is the case with these scrumptious Turtle Krispie Treats ... in your non-baked goods, too.
7
Blog Design: Tracimichele.com. Powered by Blogger.