Sweet & Savory Pork and Apricot Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights

Savory pork and apricot casserole promises a delightful culinary adventure that will surprise your taste buds.

Sweet dried fruits mingle beautifully with tender meat, creating unexpected flavor combinations.

Mediterranean influences shine through this comforting dish, blending rustic ingredients with elegant techniques.

Rich, hearty components come together in a symphony of textures and aromas.

Slow-cooked meats absorb complex seasonings, promising a meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Warm spices complement the natural sweetness of apricots, making each bite a memorable experience.

Dig into this satisfying recipe and let your kitchen become a canvas of delicious creativity.

Why Delia Pork and Apricot Casserole Feels Gourmet

• Craft Hearty Comfort: A one-pot wonder that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying meal perfect for cozy dinners.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible serving options like rice, mash, or crusty bread let you adapt the dish to your preferences and pantry.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Slow baking ensures tender pork and deep flavor development, making this recipe forgiving for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Seasonal Versatility: Combines sweet apricots and savory pork for a delightful dish that transitions beautifully between summer and autumn gatherings.

Ingredients for Delia Pork and Apricot Casserole

• Pork: A tender and flavorful meat that forms the heart of this comforting casserole.

• Apricots, Onion: Sweet dried apricots add a delightful fruity note, while onions provide a rich, savory base flavor.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural taste of the pork.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the meat.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a luxurious texture.
• Cider, Stock: Provide moisture and depth of flavor to the casserole, creating a delicious cooking liquid.

How to Cook Delia Pork and Apricot Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 180 Celsius or 350 Fahrenheit, setting it to a perfect roasting temperature.

Step 2: Prep The Pork

Lovingly massage salt and pepper into the pork, ensuring every inch gets seasoned with delicious flavor.

Step 3: Sizzle The Meat

Melt butter in a flameproof casserole dish and gracefully brown the pork pieces, creating a gorgeous golden exterior that locks in juiciness.

Step 4: Soften The Onions

Toss chopped onions into the same dish and let them dance and soften for about 5 minutes, releasing their sweet, mellow aroma.

Step 5: Welcome The Apricots

Scatter vibrant, juicy apricots into the mix, adding a burst of sunshine and tangy sweetness to the casserole.

Step 6: Dust With Flour

Sprinkle flour over the ingredients, stirring and coating everything to create a thickening base for your sauce.

Step 7: Pour In Liquid Gold

Add cider and stock, stirring enthusiastically to blend all the flavors into a harmonious symphony.

Step 8: Slow Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish and let it luxuriate in the oven for 1.5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become meltingly tender.

Step 9: Serve With Comfort

Plate your gorgeous casserole alongside fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a chunky slice of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

Handy Tips for Delia Pork and Apricot Casserole

• Choose tender pork shoulder or leg cuts for maximum flavor and soft texture during slow cooking.
• Adjust stock and cider quantities to create perfect sauce thickness; add more liquid if sauce reduces too quickly during baking.
• Use ripe, fresh apricots or high-quality dried apricots to boost natural sweetness and complement the savory pork.
• Cover casserole dish tightly with lid to retain moisture and ensure pork remains succulent throughout cooking process.
• Add fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs during baking to introduce subtle herb undertones that elevate overall dish complexity.

Flavorful Variations to Try on This Casserole

• Chicken Apricot Fusion: Replace pork with tender chicken thighs for a lighter protein option, maintaining the same cooking method and apricot flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Garden Casserole: Swap pork with firm tofu or tempeh, using vegetable stock and adding mushrooms for a hearty meat-free alternative.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Skip flour, use xanthan gum as thickener, and serve with cauliflower rice instead of traditional grains to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean Herb Upgrade: Incorporate rosemary, thyme, and a splash of white wine instead of cider, adding fresh oregano before serving for an elevated Mediterranean-inspired dish.

What to Pair with Delia Pork and Apricot Casserole

• Elevate Pork and Apricot Casserole with Perfect Pairings
• Complement Wine Selection: Opt for a crisp Riesling or off-dry Gewürztraminer that balances the sweet-savory notes of pork and apricots, cutting through the richness with bright acidity.
• Crusty Bread Pairing: Select a rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the delicious casserole sauce, adding textural contrast and extra flavor absorption.
• Fresh Green Salad Companion: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a zesty, peppery counterpoint that refreshes the palate between hearty casserole bites.

How to Store Delia Pork and Apricot Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 74°C/165°F.
• Preheat oven to 160°C/325°F. Place casserole in oven-safe dish. Cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely.

FAQs About This Pork and Apricot Casserole

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute pork with chicken or lamb for a similar flavor profile and cooking method.

• Is it okay to replace cider with another liquid?

White wine or apple juice work well as alternatives to cider in this recipe.

• How do I know the pork is cooked properly?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for safe consumption.

• Are dried apricots a good substitute for fresh?

Dried apricots can be used if fresh are unavailable, but they might change the texture and moisture of the dish slightly.

Pork and Apricot Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 112 hours and 14 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pork and apricot casserole brings together sweet and savory elements in a way that makes the dish both unexpected and familiar.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 600 grams (21 ounces) pork shoulder or loin steak, cut into approximately 3 cm cubes

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) no-soak apricots
• 1 onion, chopped

Cooking Ingredients:

• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) butter
• 40 grams (1.4 ounces) plain flour
• 600 milliliters (20.3 fluid ounces) chicken stock
• 600 milliliters (20.3 fluid ounces) dry cider
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Set oven temperature to 180°C / 350°F for a consistent, gentle cooking environment.
2. Generously coat pork pieces with seasoned salt and cracked black pepper to enhance flavor profile.
3. Heat butter in a flameproof casserole dish, creating a golden sear on pork surfaces for rich caramelization.
4. Incorporate finely chopped onions, sautéing for 5 minutes until translucent and aromatic.
5. Gently fold sweet, plump apricots into the meat mixture, distributing evenly throughout the dish.
6. Dust the ingredients with flour, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to create a thickening base.
7. Pour cider and stock into the casserole, whisking thoroughly to blend all components seamlessly.
8. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and bake for 1½ hours, until the pork is tender.
9. Present the casserole alongside fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a crusty artisan bread to soak up the delectable sauce.

Notes

• Choose fatty pork cuts like shoulder or belly for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that melts in your mouth during slow cooking.
• Opt for fresh, ripe apricots when in season, or use high-quality dried apricots to add natural sweetness and depth to the casserole.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free flour blends to maintain the sauce’s thickness.
• Consider adding herbs like thyme or rosemary during cooking to enhance the aromatic profile and complement the pork’s richness.

• Prep Time: 7 minutes
• Cook Time: 112 hours 7 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 455 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg