Slow Cooker Pork Stew

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lbs pork stewing meat (trimmed and cut into 2-3 inch cubes)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 yellow onion (peeled and chopped)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 5 cups low-sodium beef broth (more if needed)
• 4 medium carrots (peeled and cut into 1/4-inch chunks)
• 1 cup celery (diced)
• 1 lb mini red potatoes (peeled and cut into halves)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 bay leaves

Cornstarch Mix:

• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 tbsp water

Garnish:

• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pork:

   • In a large bowl, toss the pork chunks with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

2. Brown the Pork:

   • Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Brown the pork chunks in batches, cooking on all sides for about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned pork to the slow cooker.

3. Deglaze the Skillet:

   • Add red wine to the skillet to deglaze, scraping the browned bits from the bottom. Pour the wine into the slow cooker with the meat.

4. Sauté Vegetables:

   • Reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet. Once melted, add onion and garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
   • Add 1 cup beef broth to the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any remaining bits. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.

5. Add the Rest of the Ingredients:

   • Stir in tomato paste, carrots, celery, potatoes, and frozen peas into the slow cooker.
   • Pour in the remaining beef broth, add the bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper.

6. Slow Cook:

   • Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours until the pork is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
   • Taste and adjust for salt and pepper as needed.

7. Thicken the Stew (Optional):

   • If you'd like a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes in the slow cooker or add the cornstarch mix.
   • To make the cornstarch mix, whisk together 3 tbsp cornstarch and 4 tbsp water in a small bowl. Add this to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

8. Garnish and Serve:

   • Once the stew is ready, remove the bay leaves and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Enjoy this rich and comforting pork stew with all its hearty flavors and tender meat! Let me know if you need any variations or tips.