Best Fennel Rubbed Pork Tenderloin With Roasted Fennel Wedges Recipes

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.

ROASTED PORK WITH FENNEL SPICE RUB

Steps:

• PORK: Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat until hot. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 1 minute. Add the sage and cook until the onions stop releasing water (about 3 minutes). Add the water, cover and cook until the onions are very tender (about 10 minutes). Uncover and saute until the onions are very soft and the pan is dry again (about 2 minutes). Season well with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Peel back the pork skin and spread the onions directly on the fat layer. Fold the skin back over the onions and tie closed with kitchen string. Season well all over with the Fennel spice. Arrange the meat on a rack in a roasting pan and cook until the meat is very tender (approx. 6-8 hours). The meat is ready when it pulls away easily if picked at with a pair of tongs. It is often easiest to cook the meat overnight or put it in the oven in the morning and let it cook all day - it doesn't need to be attended.
• FENNEL SPICE RUB: Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light-brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding or they will gum up the blades. Pour the seeds into a blender or spice grinder and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender or grinder occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly-sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.

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.