Slow Cooker Golden Mushroom Pork and Apples

I know that most people don't think of summer as the time to be using the slow cooker, but it is a very cost saving help in the kitchen because of the low energy use and it doesn't warm the kitchen up as much as one might think. I use mine year around because I love the convenience of having the meal done in advance of the dinner hour. This particular recipe is another one that I have adapted from a recipe found at http://www.campbellskitchen.com.  This is such a good site for recipes; I would encourage you to check it out.

The one challenge I've found with slow cooker recipes, like the original of this one, is that the flavor can be lacking in the interest of speed. Not a good trade-off at all! So, in reading Cook's Illustrated Magazine, I learned that if the meat is browned in oil first the flavor of the finished dish is much better, and it only takes a few minutes more of your time. Also, with this recipe, by adding the apples at the beginning of the cooking time, they will cook down to an applesauce consistency and really enhance the flavor of the pork and the gravy, but if you don't think your family would like that, add them for the last hour or two instead.

The effort put into preparing a meal is rewarded by the nurturing of the hearts and lives of those around the table, and your family is strengthened. Blessings...

Recipe:

2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell's Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed
8 boneless pork chops, 3/4-inch thick (about 2 pounds)
4 large Granny smith apples, cut into quarters and then each quarter sliced into thirds.
2 cups chopped onion
salt and pepper
olive oil for frying

1. Stir the soup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire and thyme in a slow cooker set on high heat.
2. Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Salt and pepper pork chops and brown in olive oil on both sides; remove and place in slow cooker. Saute onion until golden brown and add to slow cooker. Add apple slices on top; don't stir them into the gravy.
3. Cover slow cooker and cook on high heat for one hour; turn heat down to low and continue cooking for about 4 more hours or until pork is fork tender. We loved the meat served with mashed potatoes.

Yield: 8 servings
Note: This recipe is easily cut in half for a smaller family.