Pork, Apple and Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

Pork, apple, sweet potatoes. Delicious!! I found this recipe not too long ago and, while I was a little worried since it's nothing like your typical shepherd's pie, I felt I had to try it! It was a true winner with my family and will definitely be made again.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 4  large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks (approx 1-inch in size)
• 1  cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2  tablespoons honey
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 2  tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1⁄2 lbs  pork loin, cut into bite size pieces
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 2  stalks celery, diced
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 2  granny smith apples, peeled and cubed
• 1⁄2 cup  unsweetened apple juice
• 1⁄2 cup chicken broth
• 2  teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1  teaspoon fresh sage, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. 1) In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook sweet potatoes until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, then return to pan with next four ingredients, mash and set aside.
3. 2) Season pork with salt & pepper. In a large, deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook pork, in batches until browned on all sides; remove to a plate.
4. 3) Add celery and onion to the fat in the pan and sauté until lightly browned. Return pork to pan with apple, apple juice, broth, thyme, sage and additional salt and pepper; reduce heat and simmer for 5-8 minutes or until liquid has reduced by about two-thirds.
5. 4) Transfer to large baking dish (I used a 9x13 glass cake pan) and top with sweet potatoes, smooth top. Bake for about 30 minutes, until browned on top.