It’s hard to believe the holiday season is almost here! It’s the perfect time to get together with friends, enjoy the company of family, and meet new faces. And while smiles on Christmas morning and enjoying long-standing family traditions are things I look forward to, there is nothing quite like the food during the holidays.
Rich mashed potatoes, flavourful stuffing, and a perfectly browed turkey are specialties on my traditional holiday menu. But between the stuffed mushrooms, veggie tray, spinach dip, and devilled eggs you can easily find the most coveted item on my appetizer table – Mini Pork & Apple Turnovers! Put them out at any of my family gatherings and they will be devoured in a flash!
If you ask me, it’s the combination of sweet apples, savoury Ontario pork, and buttery puff pastry that keep my family coming back for more, and at the end of the day, I’d be hard pressed to find a leftover turnover on my holiday spread.
If you’re looking for a delightfully flavourful appetizer that’s sure to please, try these Mini Pork & Apple Turnovers at your next holiday gathering… you won’t be disappointed!
Yield: Serves 10-12
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 Ontario pork chops, diced into ½ inch pieces
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
- ¼ cup (59 ml) brown sugar
- ½ tsp (2 ml) cinnamon
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) apple butter
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 package butter puff pastry
- 1 egg, beaten
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add diced apples. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. When apples begin to soften, lower heat to medium and add brown sugar, cinnamon and apple butter. Continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until apples are very soft. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add oil. Once hot, add diced pork and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until pork starts to brown. Add cooked apple mixture to the pan; stir until combined. Cook and additional 3-4 minutes to allow flavours to come together. Remove from heat and set aside.
- On a large work area, roll out pastry. Using a round cookie cutter that is 4 inches in diameter, cut out 10-12 rounds from the pastry. If you find yourself short, bring the scraps together and re-roll to cut more. Spoon pork and apple mixture on to one half of the rounds. Gently fold pastry over filling and seal using the tines of a fork. Transfer turnovers to baking tray. Brush with beaten egg and place in oven. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until pastry is golden and flaky. Serve turnovers with apple butter on the side.