Fennel And Black Olives Recipes

BARBECUED FENNEL WITH BLACK OLIVE DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat a BBQ or griddle pan. Toss the fennel in 1 tbsp of the oil, coating well. Cook for 5 mins on each side until golden brown and charred.
• To make the dressing, put the olives, garlic, lemon juice and remaining oil in a bowl. Add the chopped herbs and combine. Lay the fennel on a platter and pour over the dressing. Eat warm or at room temperature.

FENNEL & BLACK OLIVE GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7/fan 200C. Boil up a big saucepan of water.
• Meanwhile trim the roots off each fennel bulb, remove the first leaf, then keep trimming off more root and removing more leaves, right down to the core. Cut off and discard (or keep for a stock) all the green stalky bits and coarse outer leaves. Slicing along the grain of the leaves, cut them into tulip-petal sized pieces.
• Throw the fennel into the boiling water, cover the pan and bring back to the boil. Remove the lid and boil for 5 minutes to blanch the fennel, then drain thoroughly.
• Lightly butter a large (about 25cm diameter) gratin or other ovenproof dish. Spread half the fennel over the bottom of the dish and strew evenly with half the olives. Cover with the remaining fennel and olives and season well. Pour over the cream, then sprinkle a thick layer of cheese on top.
• Bake the gratin on the middle shelf of the oven for about 20 minutes or until the cream is bubbling, the top lightly gilded, and the fennel tender. Leave to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

FENNEL AND BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Wash fennel bulb and trim off leaves and stems. Slice off bottom of bulb; then, thinly slice the remainder of it and separate into rings. Arrange on two salad plates.
• Pit olives, and sprinkle over fennel. Dribble olive oil on top.

BRAISED PORK RIBS WITH BLOOD ORANGE, FENNEL, AND BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Season the pork all over with salt and pepper. Heat a large, wide pot over high heat, then add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the pork and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the pork to a platter. Add the fennel wedges to the same pot and sear until lightly browned on both cut sides, about 2 minutes. Set the fennel aside.
• Return the pot to low heat and add the garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring to release its fragrance, then add the tomatoes, orange juice, and honey. Stir with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Return the pork to the pot, then add the olives, bay leaf, and orange zest. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook until the pork is fork-tender, about 1 1/2 hours, turning it over in the sauce halfway through.
• Transfer the pork to a platter with tongs and keep warm. Discard the bay leaf and orange zest. Add the fennel wedges to the pot. If necessary, add a little water so that the liquid comes about halfway up the sides of the fennel. Cover and cook until the fennel is tender, about 15 minutes. Return the pork to the pot and reheat, turning to coat it with the sauce. Divide the pork and fennel among 6 plates and spoon the sauce over them. Garnish with the chopped fennel fronds and serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Benchlands Select Cabernet Sauvignon or another red wine with firm structure and concentration.

MARINATED LAMB CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil, garlic and pepper in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the lamb chops. Place the lamb chops in the dish and coat well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Wipe the oil off the lamb chops. Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add the chops and sear until medium rare, about 30 seconds per side. Remove the chops from the skillet and wrap in foil to keep warm.
• Reduce the heat to very low. Add the shaved fennel, cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the fennel is soft, about 20 minutes. Remove the fennel from the skillet with a slotted spatula and divide among 4 warmed plates.
• Increase the heat and add the white wine and chicken broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Stir in the olives and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place 2 lamb chops over the fennel on each plate, spoon the sauce over the top, sprinkle with the fennel tops and serve immediately.