We don’t have any snow in Dallas to help get us in the Christmas Spirit; but for me there is one event that starts my Christmas Season off right.  For the last seven years, our church has sponsored a community nativity event that is absolutely incredible.  We display over 700 nativities and couple the event with local musical performances.  So the week between Thanksgiving and the first weekend in December I spend helping to set up this incredible event.  It is sooo much work, but it is truly a labor of love and the end result is sooo worth it!  It’s a chance to pause from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas.  What a perfect way to start the holiday!  I wish you could all be here this weekend, but since you can’t here is a sneak peak at what we’ve done!

Thanks for indulging me – I wish you all the blessings of Christmas!

Now back to Pork Chop Stew. . .  The temperatures here are supposed to dip below 60 this weekend-  time to break out the crock pot!  {I know that is not cold to most of you, but humor us -it’s Texas}

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of stew on a cold night – rich and hearty comfort food.   And of course since you smell it cooking all day you just know it’s going to be so tender and good.   This pork chop stew has a wonderful blend of flavors that makes a truly delicious gravy with fork-tender meat and veggies – yum.  A family favorite for us –  {we have a hard time deciding if we like the pork chop stew or traditional beef stew better}.

Pork Chop Stew

Ingredients:

2-3  pounds thin boneless pork chops
3-4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pound baby carrots
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup frozen peas
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In crockpot combine soup, apple juice, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and salt and pepper. 

Brown pork chops with onions in skillet – add to crockpot ( be sure to de-glaze the pan by adding a couple of tablespoons of water after removing the meat and absorbing the drippings and flavor to add to crock pot).

Add carrots and potatoes to crockpot and mix.  Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 4-6 hours on high or  8-10 hours on low.  – Vegetables should be tender and pork chops will fall apart as you stir it up.

Add peas before serving (or just serve on the side).  You can also add corn if you like!