Mum’s Pork & Apple Skillet Recipe

A hearty congratulations to the winner of the 2022 Northeast Recipe Contest, Stephanie T., who submitted a delectable recipe for “Mum’s Pork & Apple Skillet.” She decided to donate $150 to Gather and also shared a little bit about what this recipe means to her.

“This is a recipe my mum developed when I was a child and feeding the family on a tight budget was crucial. She has passed it down to me and it’s an essential in my home. I have not altered her original recipe in any way. It is still to this day something I crave on a cool fall evening,” said Stephanie.

Mum’s Pork & Apple Skillet

Ingredients:

• 8 strips bacon, chopped into 1” squares
• 2 medium onions
• 1 lb. of chopped boneless pork spareribs cut into 1-inch cubes
• 16 oz. white button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tsp of chicken bouillon powder
• 2 tsp of sugar or sugar substitute
• 4 tsp of corn starch
• Salt and pepper to season. Not too much salt – bouillon is already salty!
• 4 tsp of water plus 2 cups water
• 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped fine

Directions:

1. In a small bowl or jug, mix all the dry sauce ingredients together.
2. Add 4 teaspoons of cold water and mix into a smooth paste.
3. Slowly stir in 2 cups of cold water and set the sauce mixture aside.
4. Over medium heat, in a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in bottom of skillet.
5. Sauté onions for 5 minutes in bacon fat until they turn soft and golden-brown.
6. Raise heat and add pork cubes. Sauté on all sides for 10 minutes or until just turning brown.
7. Add sauce mixture to skillet and stir continuously. The sauce should start to thicken within 5 minutes.
8. Stir in apples and sliced mushrooms and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
9. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
10. Use bacon to garnish when you serve.

This recipe serves 4 people and is paired best with a green vegetable and a starch such as rice or egg noodles.