RECIPES FOR CIDER RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat half of the oil in a deep ovenproof frying pan, or flameproof casserole dish, and fry the pork pieces over a medium high heat in batches until seared all over, then transfer to a plate. Add another 1 tbsp oil to the pan, if you need to, while you’re cooking the batches. Once all the pork is seared, transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Add another 1 tbsp oil to the pan with a little butter and fry half the leeks with a pinch of salt for 10 mins until tender. Add the garlic, fry for a minute, then stir in the flour.
• Pour in the cider, a little at a time, stirring to pick up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan and to combine everything. Add the stock, bay leaves and seared pork, then simmer, half-covered with a lid for 1-1½ hrs until the meat is just tender (it will later cook to the point of falling apart in the oven). Can be prepared a day ahead.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce the sauce, if you need to – it shouldn’t be too liquid or the potatoes will sink into the sauce. Stir in the parsley, chopped sage, remaining leeks, and the cream, then season well.
• Peel both types of potatoes and cut into slices 2mm thick, by hand or using a mandoline. Alternate layers of potato and sweet potato in circles over the pie, or randomly, if you prefer. Dot the cubed butter over the top and bake for 1-1½ hrs until the potato is tender. Nestle in the whole sage leaves, brushed in a little oil, for the last 10 mins. Leave to rest for 10 mins before serving.

Steps:

• Put the cider in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 20 minutes. Remove 1/4 cup of the reduced cider and reserve. Add 3 tablespoons of the sugar to the saucepan with the remaining 1/2 cup cider. Heat to combine and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with 9 liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and remaining 5 tablespoons sugar until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs one a time, stirring between each addition, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add half the flour mixture to the creamed butter, then add in the apple butter, sour cream and reserved 1/4 cup hard cider and combine again. Add the remaining flour and beat until just combined. Divide the batter among the 9 liners and cook until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• While the cupcakes are still warm, brush the tops with the remaining 1/2 cup hard cider-sugar mixture.