Fennel Crusted Pork Loin With Roasted Potatoes And Pears Recipes

FENNEL-CRUSTED PORK LOIN WITH ROASTED PEARS, POTATOES AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using a mortar and pestle or bottom of a heavy pan, crush the fennel seeds.
• In a small bowl mix the seeds, garlic, 2 T of the oil, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
• Rub the mixture over the pork, then place the pork in a large roasting pan.
• In a bowl mix the onions, potatoes, pears, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and the remaining oil.
• Scatter around the pork and roast until meat is cooked through, approx 60-70 minutes. (I've sometimes had to use 2 one lb pork loins and they are done sooner, so pull the pork out of the pan and let rest while allowing the produce to continue roasting until desired doneness).
• Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with roasted produce.

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.

PORK WITH FENNEL AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Halve the pork tenderloin crosswise; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon thyme and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a roasting pan; roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 140 degrees F, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the fennel, garlic, potatoes, wine and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper. Stir, then cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost tender, 15 minutes.
• Uncover and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the broth and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme. Simmer until slightly reduced, 1 minute. Add the cream; increase the heat and gently boil until slightly thickened, about 1 more minute. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the pork and serve with the vegetables and sauce. Top with parsley.

FENNEL-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH ROASTED FENNEL WEDGES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Crush fennel seeds with a mortar and pestle or wrap in a kitchen towel and crush with bottom of a heavy skillet.
• Pat pork dry, then sprinkle with crushed fennel seeds and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cut fennel bulbs lengthwise into 1/2-inch wedges.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch oven-proof heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Brown pork on all sides, about 6 minutes total, then transfer to a plate. Sauté garlic and fennel wedges in skillet until fennel is golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add wine, stirring and scraping up brown bits, then stir in broth and butter. Put pork on top of fennel and transfer skillet to oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 145 to 150°F, about 15 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, transfer skillet to stovetop (handle will be hot) and boil, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid has evaporated. Stir in lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped fennel fronds. Thinly slice pork and serve over fennel with sauce.