Recipe: Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie (with mashed potato topping)

FARMHOUSE PORK AND APPLE PIE

1 pound sliced bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces
3 medium onions, chopped
3 pounds boneless pork, cubed
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Cooking oil, optional
3 tart cooking apples, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup water
FOR THE POTATO TOPPING:
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup milk
5 Tablespoons butter or margarine, divided use
Additional salt and pepper
Snipped fresh parsley (optional, to garnish)

Cook bacon in an ovenproof 12-inch skillet until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

In drippings, saute onions until tender; remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Dust pork lightly with flour. Brown a third at a time in drippings. adding oil if needed. Remove from the heat and drain. To pork, add bacon, onions, apples, sage, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir in cider and 1/2 cup water.

Cover skillet and bake at 325 degree F for 2 hours or until pork is tender.

In a saucepan, cook potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain and mash with milk and 3 tablespoons butter. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Remove skillet from the oven. Preheat broiler.

Spread potatoes over pork mixture. Melt remaining butter; brush over potatoes.

Broil 6-inches from the heat for 5 minutes or until topping browned. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Makes 10 servings
From: Judy/AZ - 07-22-97