Quick, Easy, and Delicious: Irish Pork and Apple Casserole for Busy Cooks

Instructions

Let’s dive into the simple steps to create this mouthwatering casserole:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to start heating up while you prep the ingredients.
2. Sear the Pork: In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pork cubes and season with salt and pepper. Sear for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pork is browned on all sides. Remove the pork from the pot and set aside.
3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add the chopped onions and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, becoming fragrant.
4. Add Apples: Now, add the sliced apples to the pot and stir, letting them brown slightly for about 4 minutes.
5. Combine Ingredients: Return the browned pork to the pot. Then, add chicken broth, apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
6. Simmer: Allow the mixture to simmer on the stovetop for about 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld beautifully.
7. Bake: Cover the pot with a lid (or aluminum foil) and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 1.5 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls apart easily with a fork.
8. Garnish and Serve: Once your casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven. Give it a gentle stir, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot alongside your favorite bread or over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes for a delightful meal.