Fennel Crusted Pork Tenderloin With Crisp Pita Recipes

PORK TENDERLOIN WITH LEMON AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon of the lemon oil, garlic paste, zest, fennel seeds, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the mixture over the pork tenderloins and let stand at room temperature, covered, for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the pork tenderloins, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a baking pan and roast the pork for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until an inserted instant read thermometer reads 150 degrees F, about 15 to 20 minutes, for medium, or to desired doneness. Remove the pork to a platter and let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into thin slices.
• Variation: If you'd like to serve fresh fennel alongside the pork, after browning the pork, add the fennel to the same skillet. Cook the fennel, stirring frequently, over medium heat until it begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Add a minced garlic clove, a teaspoon of sugar and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup cool water, bring to a boil and simmer until the liquid is all evaporated and the fennel is fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
• Place the oil and the zest in a glass jar. Let stand at room temperature for at least 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
• Pour the oil through a strainer and discard the zest. Transfer to a jar and store, tightly covered, at in refrigerator.

FENNEL-CRUSTED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CRISP PITA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Coat pork with garlic and fennel seed, then season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides, 4 minutes total. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet (reserve skillet) and roast, turning occasionally, until cooked through, 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 10 minutes.
• On a baking sheet, brush tops of pitas with oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until edges are golden, 8 minutes. Cut into wedges.
• Divide arugula, parsley, and carrots among 4 plates. Slice pork into rounds and add to salad. Remove any dark garlic bits from skillet, add vinegar and any accumulated juices from board, and swirl to combine. Drizzle sauce on pork and serve with pitas.

PORK TENDERLOIN WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add fennel and half of garlic and sauté until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Pour in 1/3 cup chicken broth and sprinkle over half of fennel seeds. Cover and simmer until fennel is very tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool.
• Starting 1/2 inch up on 1 long side, cut through tenderloin to within 1/2 inch of opposite side. Open as for book. Continue cutting through thick portion of tenderloin until meat forms 1;/2-inch-thick rectangle. Spread fennel mixture evenly over pork. Beginning at 2 long end, roll pork up jelly roll style. Tie pork with stirring to secure. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Place pork in same skillet. Rub pork with remaining garlic clove and 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven until pork is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove pork from skillet and keep warm. Pour remaining 1/3 cup chicken broth into skillet. Boil until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Remove string from pork. Cut pork into 1-inch pieces. Divide between plates, cut side up. Spoon sauce over pork and serve.

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.