Main Dishes

Filipino Pork and Noodles

Pig is totally underrated. I mean, sure, everybody is obsessed with bacon, but beyond that, how much credit does little Hamlet get?

Maybe it’s just me, but pork seems to be more popular in international cuisine than American (beyond barbecue ribs, pulled pork, and the aforementioned bacon). In some ways this recipe reminds me of pork butt, the basis of pulled pork barbecue, but with a unique flavor profile, pulling from the soy sauce, vinegar and jalapeños.

Center loin is just pork chops before they’re sliced. The meat cooks low and slow in a slow cooker, and the prep time is less than 15 minutes. Try mashed potatoes or even mashed cauliflower in place of egg noodles.

If you’re expecting leftovers, strain the cooking broth and pour at least some of it over the meat before packing it up in the refrigerator — you’ll want that extra broth when you reheat the meat.

Filipino Pork and Noodles

From The Wanderlust Kitchen

1.75 lb lean pork center loin
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup water
5 cloves garlic, peeled crushed
6 peppercorns, crushed
5 whole bay leaves
2 jalapeños, stemmed and seeded, chopped

Place pork, soy sauce, vinegars, water, garlic, ground pepper, bay leaves, and jalapeños in a 3 quart or large slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours. Remove the pork, shred with two forks and put it back in the crock pot for another half hour to soak up some flavors from the sauce.

Cook the egg noodles according to manufacturer’s instructions (omitting any butter or salt). Remove and discard the bay leaves from the slow cooker. Serve the pork over the egg noodles.

Creamy Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta

I’m a sucker for all things pumpkin, and I loved the idea of combining it with sausage for a spicy kick. This 2-pot dish came together in under 20 minutes, perfect for a weeknight.

The original recipe called for fennel, which is not my thing; cubed, roasted squash would also be a good addition. I prefer saucier skillet dishes rather than baked, but do what you like. Don’t overseason: the flavors will intensify as the dish cooks.

Creamy Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta

Inspired by Leave A Happy Plate
Serves 4-5

1/2 lb whole wheat shell or other short pasta
1/2 lb spicy ground pork sausage
1/2 cup 1% or 2% plain Greek yogurt
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
2/3 cup Half and Half
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Red pepper flakes, if desired
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan

If you like baked pasta, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and oil, stopping 1 minute early. Drain.

In a large oven-proof skillet, brown and crumble sausage. Drain on paper towels.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk togther yogurt, pumpkin, Half and Half, seasonings and Parmesan.

Toss pasta and sausage in the skillet. Pour sauce on top, stirring to combine. If baking, top with additional Parmesan, if desired, and place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Otherwise, heat on the stove over medium-low heat until heated through.

Chicken with Apple Brandy Sauce (Poulet Vallée d’Auge)

It’s apple season, and I’m in heaven. Last weekend I was finally able to get out to the orchards to pick apples, but I spent the next three days on the road. The apples have been taunting me ever since.

But right now it’s raining, I have nowhere to be, and this recipe was calling to me from my to-do list.

Poulet Vallée d’Auge is a traditional French recipe from the Normandy region (I say that as if I have any idea what that actually means…) combining apples and Calvados, or apple brandy, with chicken and mushrooms. I *love* apples in savory dishes, and this one did not disappoint.

You can pull it off on a weeknight — plan for about 90 minutes of cooking time — but I’d lean toward a crisp fall weekend. Serve with potatoes or rice (or skip the starch altogether, like I did), and green beans.

Poulet Vallée d’Auge

(Chicken and Apples in Brandy Cream Sauce)

Adapted from Bon Appetit
Serves 4

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
2 small to medium firm-tart apples, peeled, cored, quartered
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 chicken (3 1/2-4 lbs), quartered
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise ¼” thick
2 small or 1 large shallot, finely chopped
1/4 cup Calvados (or other apple brandy)
2/3 cup apple cider
2 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 pound crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, trimmed, halved
1/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
1 large egg yolk

Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add apples and cook, turning occasionally, until golden in spots, 10–12 minutes. Transfer apples to a plate and set aside.

Increase heat to medium-high and add oil to pot. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Working in batches, cook chicken until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to another plate; set aside.

Add leek and shallots to pot; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat, add Calvados, and ignite with a long match or lighter. After flames die down, return pot to heat and add cider. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.

Return reserved chicken to pot and add thyme, bay leaf, and broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer, adding reserved apples back to pot halfway through, until chicken is cooked through, 20–25 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, tossing occasionally, until browned and softened, 6–8 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Transfer mushrooms to a plate.

Whisk crème fraîche and egg yolk in a small bowl. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken and apples to a baking sheet and remove pot from heat. Whisk crème fraîche mixture into cooking liquid in pot. Gently mix in chicken, apples, and mushrooms.