SLOWCOOKER - 'Roast' Pork with Apple Sauce Gravy

INGREDIENTS
approx 1.5kg pork shoulder, boned and rolled
fresh rosemary
2 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
2-3 tsp dark soy sauce
2 or 3 apples
1T brown sugar
arrowroot or potato starch to thicken (I used cornflour)

METHOD
Turn the slowcooker on to HIGH and coat the bowl with non-stick spray.  If the roast is in an elasticised net sleeve, remove it, and if its been tied with string, leave the string in place.  If not, tie several pieces of string around it, so the roast remains rolled.  For a slightly herby flavour, push sprigs of Rosemary between the layers of pork, and have more sprigs to put under the roast as it cooks.

Measure the mustard, cumin and salt into a shallow bowl, then add enough dark soy sauce to mix into a paste.  Massage this over all the surfaces of the pork, then place the pork into the slow cooker, on its side with the smooth side up.

Cut apples into quarters and remove core.  Push the pieces of apple down between the pork and sides of the cooker bowl.  Put on lid and cook for 4-5 hours pushing the apples down into the pan juices after about 3 hours.  After 4 hours check the meat is cooked. If you have a meat thermometer, check that the temperature in the centre is about 77C.  You can turn the slow cooker down if you want, to LOW for another 1 or 2 hours.

When nearly ready to serve, take out the meat, mash the apples into the liquid, add brown sugar.  Stir in thickening agent (made into a paste with a little water).  Season to taste.  Leave lid off and leave to thicken for about 15 mins.

COMMENT
My kids havent really eaten pork (as I don't eat it), so I was really looking  forward to making this as something Greg and kids could enjoy.  It was really easy to bang into the slowcooker in the morning, and I was full of hope.  Sadly it was really really chewy and dry, and whilst Greg ate it all, when asked if I should keep the leftovers, he said to 'bin it'.   I think next time I'll just try a pork roast in the oven.

 ELLA-ometre   On the positive side, Ella liked the flavour of the meat and chewed each mouthful for a long time before spitting it out!
 ZACH-ometre  Zach loved it, and did manage to swallow a fair amount which was great news.

 Source:  Simon and Alison Holst's - 100 Great ways to use Slow Cookers and Crockpots