Farm life is the best life. From the laid-back living to the hard-working harvest days, it’s truly an underrated lifestyle. Another perk that comes with living in these parts is all the cozy comfort food like Farmhouse Pie! This hearty pile of pork and potatoes is just what every farmer needs after a long day’s work. Oh, and those apples tossed in bring the sweetest, most satisfying flavor combination creating a perfect ending to a perfect day. Gather your crew and enjoy some of the finest things in life… like living out in the sticks and enjoying this Farmhouse Pie!
Ingredients
- 1 pound sliced bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 medium onions, chopped
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 pounds pork, boneless, cut into 1-inch-thick cubes
- canola oil, to taste, optional
- 3 medium tart apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus more, to taste
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup water, plus more, to taste
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 5 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a large cast-iron or oven-proof skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces, stirring occasionally, until they are crisp.
Step 3 –Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon pieces to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 4 –Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings from the skillet.
Step 5 –Increase the heat to medium-high and add the onions to the remaining bacon drippings. Cook until they are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 6 –Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked onions to a new paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 7 –Reduce the stovetop heat to medium.
Step 8 –Add the flour to a shallow bowl and then add the pork cubes, tossing to coat them.
Step 9 –Add the coated pork cubes to the skillet, in batches, and cook until they are browned. Add the canola oil, a little at a time, if the skillet becomes too dry.
Step 10 –Use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned pork cubes to a new paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 11 –Transfer the skillet from the heat and discard the drippings.
Step 12 –Add the browned pork cubes, the cooked bacon pieces, the cooked onions, the apples, the sage, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper to the skillet.
Step 13 –Stir the cider and 1/2 cup of the water into the pork mixture.
Step 14 –Cover the skillet with foil and bake the pork mixture until the pork is tender, about 2 hours.
Step 15 –While the pork mixture is baking, in a large saucepan, add the potatoes and enough of the extra water to just cover them. Bring it to a boil.
Step 16 –Reduce the heat and cook the potatoes, uncovered, until they are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 17 –Transfer the pork mixture from the oven and switch the oven setting to broil.
Step 18 –Drain the potatoes.
Step 19 –Mash the potatoes, while gradually adding 3 tablespoons of the butter, the milk, the extra salt, and the extra pepper, until they reach the desired consistency.
Step 20 –Spread the mashed potatoes over the pork mixture.
Step 21 –Melt the remaining butter in the microwave, then brush it over the mashed potatoes.
Step 22 –Broil the pie 6 inches away from the heat until the topping is browned, about 5 minutes.
Step 23 –Serve.
