Braised Pork With Fennel Slow Cooker Recipes

BRAISED PORK WITH FENNEL (CROCK POT)

Steps:

• Slice off root end of fennel and discard. Slice bulb and some of the green stems and leaves. Save some of the feathery leaves for garnish.
• In a large, heavy skillet, sear the pork in the oil over medium-high heat until it's brown all over, about 20 minutes. Transfer the pork to the crock pot.
• Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low.
• Sauté the onion and fennel until just a little golden. Transfer them to the crock pot.
• In a bowl, mix together the vinegar and Splenda. Pour the mixture over the pork. Add the tomatoes.
• In a bowl, mix together the broth and bouillon until the bouillon dissolves. Stir in the garlic, thyme, and red pepper. Pour this over the pork.
• Cover the crock pot, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
• Remove the pork from the crock pot and place it on a serving platter. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the vegetables and pile them around the pork. Cover the platter with foil and put it in a warm place.
• Turn crock pot to high and stir cornstarch mixture into liquid and heat until thickened slightly.
• Chop some of the fennel leaves and sprinkle over roast and veggies. Slice meat and serve with sauce.

ROAST LOIN OF PORK WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• With a mortar and pestle, or in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, grind together the garlic, 1 tablespoon salt, and thyme leaves. Add the mustard. Spread the mixture over the loin of pork and allow it to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the fennel bulbs in thick wedges, cutting through the core. Toss the fennel, carrots, potatoes, and onions in a bowl with the olive oil, melted butter, salt, and pepper to taste. Place the vegetables in a large roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes. Add the pork loin to the pan and continue to cook for another 30 to 50 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the middle of the pork reads exactly 138 degrees. Remove the meat from the pan and return the vegetables to the oven to keep cooking. Cover the meat with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Remove the strings from the meat and slice it thickly. Arrange the meat and vegetables on a platter. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve warm.

BRAISED PORK WITH FENNEL (SLOW COOKER)

Steps:

• 1. Slice off root end of fennel and discard. Slice bulb and some of the green stems and leaves. Save some of the feathery leaves for garnish.
• 2. In a large, heavy skillet, sear the pork in the oil over medium-high heat until it's brown all over, about 20 minutes. Transfer the pork to the slow cooker.
• 3. Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Sauté the onion and fennel until just a little golden. Transfer them to the slow cooker.
• 4. In a small bowl, mix together the vinegar and sugar. Pour the mixture over the pork. Add the tomatoes.
• 5. In a bowl, mix together the broth and bouillon until the bouillon dissolves. Stir in the garlic, thyme, and red pepper. Pour this over the pork.
• 6. Cover the slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
• 7. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a serving platter. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the vegetables and pile them around the pork. Cover the platter with foil and put it in a warm place.
• 8. Turn slow cooker to high and stir cornstarch mixture into liquid and heat until thickened slightly. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, if needed.
• 9. Chop some of the fennel leaves and sprinkle over roast and veggies. Slice meat and serve with sauce.

BRAISED FENNEL

Steps:

• Cut the green stalks from the top of the white fennel bulbs and cut the brown, round stump from the base. Cut fronds from stalks. Chop the fronds and set aside 2 tablespoons for serving. Cut bulbs in half 4 times, making 8 wedges out of each.
• Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add fennel wedges, flat-side down, and brown for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for about 2 minutes more. Add garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds. Add wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Let wine reduce by half. Pour in chicken broth and orange juice.
• Reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer until fennel is very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Plate fennel. Sprinkle with salt and garnish with orange zest and fennel fronds.

BRAISED PORK WITH ORANGE AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Wrap cinnamon stick and anise seeds in a small square of cheesecloth and tie bundle closed with string.
• Pat pork dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a deep 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown pork in 3 batches, turning, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer to a bowl as browned.
• Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot and cook onion and garlic over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add ginger, zest, and sugar and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce, rice wine, broth, pork with any accumulated juices, and cheesecloth bag. Braise mixture, covered, in oven 1 hour.
• Stir in fennel and braise, covered, in oven until fennel is very tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Discard cheesecloth bag, then season pork mixture with salt and pepper and stir in cilantro.