Anise pork

Star anise and apples give this slow cooker pork dish a beautiful flavour.

Ingredients

3	Pork hocks (Main)
8	Shallots
2	Granny Smith apples
1 ½ tsp	Mustard powder
1 Tbsp	Brown sugar
1 to taste	Ground black pepper
1 cup	Apple juice
1 tsp	Cloves
1	Star anise pod (Main)
½ cup	Raisins

Directions

1. Place the hocks in a large slow cooker. Add the shallots or onions and peeled and sliced apples.
2. Combine the mustard, brown sugar and pepper with the apple juice and pour over the pork.
3. Sprinkle with the cloves, star anise and raisins. Cover and cook on low for six hours.
4. Using tongs, remove the hocks to a platter. Use the tongs to remove the skin and bones. The meat will be so tender it falls off the bones.
5. Thicken the juices, if preferred, with two tablespoons of cornflour mixed to a paste with a little water.
6. Return the meat to the slow cooker and reheat.