Slow Cooker Honey Apple Pork Loin

 

10 facts about pork:

Pork is the world’s most widely consumed meat. It accounts for 42 percent of consumed meat while chicken is 33 percent and beef 22 percent. (USDA FAS)

Each market hog represents 371 servings of pork.

The leanest cuts of pork have the word loin in them, such as pork tenderloin or loin chop.

To keep your pork juicy and safe you need only cook it to 145° Fahrenheit, let it rest for three minutes and then serve it up!

Pork Producers established the We CareSM initiative to help showcase their everyday commitment to animal and public health, to producing safe food, safeguarding natural resources and being an active member of their community.

The work “barbeque” originated with French-speaking pirates who called their Caribbean pork feast “de barbe et queue”. It translates to “from beard to tail,” reflecting the versatility of the hog.

Salt pork was a key staple food for Washington’s troops at Valley Forge in the winter of 1776 to 1777.

The U.S. exported a total of 4.97 billion pounds of pork in 2011, making it the world’s largest exporter of pork.

The phrase “living high on the hog” originated among army enlisted men referring to the top loin cuts that officers received while the enlisted received shoulder and leg cuts.

Pork is 75 percent leaner today than it was in the 1950’s.

Ingredients:

4 lb. pork loin I use a center cut

2 granny smith apples sliced and divided

1 white onion sliced

1/2 cup butter sliced

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup honey

1/2 tsp. dried thyme or a few sprigs of fresh

US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

1. Cut slits on the top of the pork loin, I cut about an inch down. Plug in apple slices into the slits. Set aside.
2. Add the onions and remaining apple slices down in the slow cooker. Lay over the slices of butter.
3. Add the pork loin.
4. Sprinkle the pork with the salt, pepper and cinnamon. Add the thyme.
5. Drizzle over the honey.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
7. When the cooking time is done. Remove the pork onto a platter and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Slice and serve.

Enjoy!