Ingredients and Weight:
- Pork shoulder roast (800-900g)
- Apple cider vinegar (1/2 cup)
- Brown sugar (1 cup)
- Fresh rosemary (2 sprigs) or dried rosemary (1 tsp)
- Garlic cloves (6-8)
- Low-sodium chicken broth (1 cup)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Optional: fresh fruit or dried fruit for finishing
Preparation Time:
- Preparation: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 4-6 hours (slow cooker setting)
- Total: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
Difficulty Level:
Level 3 (Moderate difficulty - requires patience for slow cooking)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Pat the pork roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- In a slow cooker, combine the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, rosemary, and garlic cloves.
- Place the pork roast in the slow cooker, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid.
- Pour the low-sodium chicken broth around the meat.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours, until the meat is tender and pulls easily with a fork.
- Optional: During the last hour of cooking, add fresh or dried fruit to enhance flavor and create a sweet-savory contrast.
- Serve with any desired side dish or use the cooking liquid as a base for a sauce or gravy.
Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming 8 servings total)
- Calories: 350-450 (depending on fat content of the pork and additional ingredients)
- Protein: 30-40g
- Fat: 20-30g (of which saturated fat: 8-12g)
- Carbohydrates: 20-30g (from brown sugar and fruit, if added)
Dish Characteristics:
- Tangy flavor from apple cider vinegar and brown sugar combination.
- Slow cooking ensures tender and juicy meat.
- Can be served with various side dishes or as a main dish with a sauce or gravy.
- Perfect for colder weather as it provides warmth and comfort food.
User Comments:
- "The flavor combination was outstanding! The pork was so tender and juicy." - John Doe
- "Added some dried cranberries during the last hour - it gave a great sweet-and-sour taste." - Jane Smith
- "My family loved this dish, it was perfect for a Sunday dinner." - Michael Johnson
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Use a pork shoulder roast for best results in slow cooking.
- Ensure the slow cooker is set to low to avoid burning the meat or liquid.
- If you want to add more flavor, consider using different types of vinegar or adding other spices like thyme or oregano.