Braised Maple-Bourbon Pork with Beans

I've been really enjoying my crock pot lately. It's so easy to put everything in one-pot and let it cook throughout the day; not to mention, the house smells delicious! This particular recipe was perfect when paired with grilled brussels sprouts. I would do everything the same, except I'd kill the Kielbasa addition - after cooking in the crock pot all day, it really changed it's texture and neither Chad nor I liked it - brushed aside, everything else was perfect! I divided the recipe to work for just the two of us, but it'd be great for a dinner party! Bon Appetite!

Braised Maple-Bourbon Pork with Beans
from Williams-Sonoma
1 lb. boneless pork shoulder, cut into 4 pieces
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 lb. kielbasa (2 large links), each cut into 3 pieces **I wouldn't add this if I made this recipe again. I didn't like the texture.
3 yellow onions, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 tbsp. minced garlic
3 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup bourbon
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 lb. cannellini beans, soaked overnight, drained
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 cups chicken broth
4 oz. bacon, diced
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
1 tsp. chopped fresh sage
2 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Season the pork with salt and pepper and over medium heat brown the pork in oil for about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate.

2. Brown sausages for 3 minutes. Transfer to plate.

3. Reduce heat to medium and cook onions and celery for 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf; cook 1 minute. Add bourbon; cook 1 minute.

4. Stir in tomatoes, beans, maple syrup and broth. Nestle pork into bean mixture; arrange sausages around pork.

5. Increase heat to medium-high; bring to a simmer. Transfer to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. After done, skim off fat, discard bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper.

6. Preheat broiler. In large nonstick saute-pan over medium-high heat cook bacon for 7-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Discard all but 1 tbsp. fat in pan.

7. Add bread crumbs and sage into the pan; cook 4 minutes. Stir in parsley and bacon. Sprinkle over pork mixture. Broil 3 minutes.

Serves 8-10. ENJOY!