(photo by Kana Okada)
It's time for another recipe from Every Day With Rachael Ray and the $10 Spot Section. Last night we made this recipe and it was the first time that my children so much as touched a squash in years, much less enjoyed it!
Apple Juice Pork with Squash and Golden Raisins
SERVES 4 PREP 10 min COOK 35 min
Ingredients:
-
- Four 1-inch-thick boneless pork loin chops (about 1 ½ pounds total)
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup apple juice
- ½ butternut squash – peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup golden raisins
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 250°. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, add the pork chops and 1 more tablespoon olive oil between batches. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and tent with foil; place in the oven.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the apple juice, squash, raisins and sage; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until the squash is tender, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the squash mixture to a bowl. Cook the remaining liquid until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Serve the pork with the squash and pan sauce.
And now for the cost breakdown:
- Pork Loin Chops: $5.99
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: $.45
- Onion: $.79
- Apple Juice: $.32
- Butternut Squash: $.85
- Golden Raisins $.41
- Sage: $.43
Total: $9.24 or $2.31 per serving
Make it cheaper: the biggest cost that can be cut is the cost of the pork. Simply waiting for a BOGO or 50% off sale can cut this price in half. The apple juice price can come down a bit with a good sale.
As for the sage, unless you grow fresh sage in your indoor or outdoor herb garden, you are going to need to spend the money for a full container (about $2-$3). While you can certainly freeze the leftover sage for future recipes here are some ideas for the rest of the container that week:
Lemon Sage Turkey with Vegetables
Spicy Sausage, Chicken and Bean Pot
Herbed Tomato Cups (these are FABULOUS)
Let me know how you enjoy it!
