Slow Cooker Pork Stew

My crockpot is an appliance that runs all year round.  I do a lot of grilling and lighter meals in the summer but there are still some days when it's so much simpler to just throw everything in a pot when I have energy in the mornings and it's not yet too hot and have it all done by supper time.  With busy days and heat, I just find myself totally unmotivated when all the kids go home to just start cooking, whether I have a menu planned or not.  It's so nice to just have to set the table and dish up.

The browning of the pork in this dish may seem like an extra, pain in the kazoo step but it makes for so much more flavor that it is not worth skipping.

-1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
-1 kg (2 lbs) cubed pork stew meat  (cut into smaller bite sized pieces)
-salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
-2 Tbsp. cornstarch

-8 med potatoes skin on
-1 green and 1 red bell pepper, chopped
-1 medium onion, diced
-1 can niblets corn, or 1 cup frozen


-1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
-1 can cream of mushroom soup
-1 1/4 cups milk
-1 1/4 cup beef broth
-1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning**

1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 of stew juices

Heat the olive over med high heat in a 10 inch fry or saute pan.  Sprinkle pork cubes with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Toss the seasoned pork in the cornstarch adding more cornstarch if necessary.  Carefully add pork cubes in batches to the the fry pan browning on all sides but not cooking through.  Doing it in batches ensures quick browning.

While pork is browning, scrub potatoes and cut into large bite size pieces.  Add to crockpot.  Add the bell peppers, diced onion and corn.  As the meat is browned add that on top.  In a mixing bowl, stir together the tomatoes soup, milk, broth and Italian seasoning.  Pour over the meat and veggies.   Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours until potatoes and meat is tender or low for 5-6 hours.

One hour before cooking is finished, if the juices are not thick enough for you, remove 1/4 cup of juices into small bowl.  Add 1 Tbsp. cornstarch and mix until smooth.  Add back to pot and stir gently.  Finish cooking.


**If you don't have Italian seasoning on hand, you could use a combination of dried parsley, marjoram,  basil, oregano, thyme to make 1 Tbsp.

Adapted from Allrecipes.com

Joining up with Cooking Thursday at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom