Savory, Slow-Cooked Pork Stew for #SundaySupper

When I think of comfort food, I think of rich flavors. Sauces. I think of intoxicating smells that conjure fond memories of growing up. I think of coming home from college and eating my mom's home-cooked meals. And I think of something I can put in a pot or a crockpot and let cook all day while we lay around in our pajamas and watch movies all day. I do NOT, for once, think healthy. (Although, this recipe is not unhealthy.)

After years of practice, I am proud to say I have mastered the art of the stew. And after a long internal struggle, I have finally learned to embrace the warm glow of the crockpot. I used to consider the crockpot to be lazy cooking. I considered the people who used them to be a sellout. But nothing can cook something slowly and bring out the flavors in certain recipes better.

Wow, am I glad I got over myself because this meal is just amazing. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. The family loved it. And it makes for great leftovers too. It takes a little bit of preparation the day before, but I included substitutions to make it even easier.



Ingredients:

• 1 qt. Tomato sauce (Homemade. Not something store-bought from a jar, please. That would make me sad.)
• 3 bone-in, center-cut pork chops, dry marinated and grilled
• 4 medium roasting potatoes, cubed
• 1/2 medium onion, sliced
• 1/2 package frozen peas

Procedure:

1. Dry marinate your pork chops before grilling them. I suggest grilling them because the first time I made this stew I used leftover grilled pork chops. They added a nice smokey flavor. Dry marinate with anything from just salt and pepper, to garlic power, rosemary, parsley, and oregano. Let them sit a half hour to an hour before you grill them until they're browned on each side. You can also broil them, I guess. Or to avoid grilling, use a fattier cut of pork like a loin roast.
2. I also used leftover homemade tomato sauce. (I call it "gravy." But I'm not getting into that argument right now. Whatever.) If you don't have any homemade, PLEASE don't use Ragu or anything else from a jar. That's an insult to my heritage and my recipe. Get 2-3 large cans of Redpack or some other brand of plain old tomato Sauce and use that. Do NOT use puree. That's sh!t's too sweet. Yuck.
3. Pour everything into your crockpot, sauce first. Cook it on low for 10-11 hours. Or until the pork falls off the bone.
4. About 9-10 hours in, add the peas.
5. Serve with some of your favorite bread for dunking. The dunking is key.

Making it Peanut-friendly:

• The pork was a big hit because Peanut does not like red meat unless it's very tender. So whenever I make a beef stew, it's a struggle to get her to eat let alone enjoy it. Pork falls under her "chicken" category. Score.
• Peanut also likes any meal involving bread. Bread's fun. And it's a rare treat.
• The peas are also a hit because they're her favorite vegetable. Hiding them in a stew is a good way to get even the pickiest child to eat some vegetables. 

Please check out these other great #SundaySupper comfort food recipes:

Comfort Food |Soups

• Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup by Damn Delicious
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup by Supper for a Steal
• Kalbi Tang or Korean Short Rib Soup by Kimchi MOM
• Korean mandoo (dumpling) soup by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Chicken Noodle Soup by My Catholic Kitchen
• Thai’d up chicken noodle soup by I Run For Wine
• Ditalini Italian Soup by Mangiamo!
• Spicy Black Bean Soup by Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Chicken Chowder by Pippis in the Kitchen Again

Comfort Food | Main Dish

• Sausage Gravy and Biscuits by Big Bears Wife
• Comforting Down-Home Shrimp and Grits by The Weekend Gourmet
• Pumpkin Alfredo Tortellini Bake by The Meltaways
• Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese by Flour on My Face
• Lasagna Roll Ups by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Green Plantain Hash by Basic n Delicious
• Venison Chili by The Messy Baker Blog
• Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells by That Skinny Chick can Bake
• Winter Chicken Stew by Mrs. Mama Hen
• Quinoa, Spinach, and Kale Lasagna by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Baked Oysters and Apples by Pescetarian Journal
• Individual Chicken Pot Pies by Noshing With The Nolands
• Kaesespaetzle {Baked Cheese Spaetzle} by Galactosemia in PDX
• Jalapeno and Bacon Mac N’ Cheese by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Quiche aux Champignons {Mushroom Quiche} by An Appealing Plan
• Mini Mac n Cheese Cups with Pork Shoulder Ragù by Hip Foodie Mom
• Chicken a la King by Girlichef
• Creamy Chicken & Dumplings by La Cocina de Leslie
• Spaghetti Squash Gratins by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles
• Hot Dr. Pepper with Lemon by Kwistins Favorites
• Creamy Chicken Enchiladas by Home Cooking Memories
• Savory Slow-Cooked Pork Stew by Daddy Knows Less
• Chicken Roasted with White Wine and Garlic by Webicurean
• Shepherd’s Pie by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• One Skillet Pumpkin Lasagna by The Realistic Nutritionist
• Chicken “Pot Pie” by Diabetic Foodie
• Gluten Free Cornish Pasty by Maroc Mama
• Warm Oven Baked Samosas Stuffed With Sweet Potato & Peas by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Caramelized Onion-Challah Stuffing Muffins by Comfy Cuisine
• Comforting Mashed Potatoes by Momma’s Meals
• Chunky Chili Beans by Mama Mommy Mom
• Rustic Cauliflower and Tomato Gratin by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Basmati Rice with Saffron by Family Spice
• Feijoada ~ Portuguese Bean Stew by Family Foodie

Comfort Food | Desserts

• Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy by Juanita’s Cocina
• Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream by Cravings of a Lunatic
• Sour Cream Pound Cake by Mom’s Test Kitchen
• Chocolate Layer Cake by Magnolia Days
• Cinnamon Rice Pudding by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Smores Hot Cocoa by Chocolate Moosey
• Sweet Red Bean Pie by What Smells So Good
• Pistachio Cake Cookies by The Cookie A Day Challenge
• Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake by No One Likes Crumbly Cookies
• Dark Chocolate Caramel Brownies by Daily Dish Recipes
• Nutella Shortbread Bars by Baker Street