SLOW-COOKER PORK LOIN WITH CIDER AND PRUNES

Steps:

• Dry the roast with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a 12-inch skillet over med-high heat until just smoking.
• Brown the roast on all sides, reducing the heat if the fat begins to smoke, about 10 minutes; add the rost to the slow cooker.
• Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering.
• Add the onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook for about 15 seconds.
• Stir in the wine, scraping up any browned bits.
• Simmer until the wine has reduced by half, about 3 minutes, then pour into the slow cooker.
• Add the broth, cider, prunes, bay leaves, and thyme to the slow cooker.
• Nestle the carrots into the slow cooker around the edges.
• Cover and cook on LOW 5--6 hours, until the roast is tender and reads 165-175° on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer the pork to a carving board and tent loosely with foil.
• Let the cooking liquid settle for 5 minutes, then use a wide spoon to skim the fat off the surface.
• Discard the bay leaves.
• Set the slow cooker to high.
• Whisk the flour with the cream until smooth, then stir into the slow cooker.
• Continue to cook until the sauce is thickened and no longer tastes of flour, 15-30 minutes longer.
• Stir in the mustard, lemon juice, and parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Untie the roast and slice 1/2 inch thick.
• Arrange the meat on a warmed serving platter and pour about 1 cup of the sauce over the top.
• Serve passing the remaining sauce separately.