Braised Leeks And Fennel Recipes

BRAISED CARROTS AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Slice the carrots 1/2-inch thick on an angle.
• Quarter the fennel bulbs lengthwise, cut into bulb to remove core and thinly slice, or roughly chop. Reserve 1/4 cup chopped fennel fronds.
• Halve and slice the onion. Fill a skillet with 1/4-inch water. Add vegetables then sprinkle with sugar and salt and drizzle with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Simmer covered 20 minutes, and uncovered for 5 minutes and adjust salt. Toss vegetables with fennel fronds, dill and chives.

SAUTEED FENNEL AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium sized skillet over medium heat; add fennel and cook, stirring occasionally until translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, cook 5 minutes more,.
• Stir in lemon zest and butter, adjust seasonings, serve.

BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CARAMELIZED FENNEL & LEEKS

Steps:

• Trim fennel bulbs, and set aside fronds. In a blender or food processor, pulse about 1/2 cup fronds, garlic, lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt until finely chopped. Add 1/3 cup oil and purée.
• Halve fennel bulbs lengthwise. Slice thinly with a mandoline or very sharp knife.
• clean and thinly slice leaks.
• Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Brown chicken until skin is crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, leaving drippings in pan.
• Stir fennel seeds into skillet and cook for 30 seconds. Add the sliced fennel, leeks and onion, seasoning with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook, tossing occasionally, until vegetables are caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes. Add Pernod and scrape up any browned bits in the bottom of the skillet; cook until liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute.
• Lay chicken on top of the fennel-onion mixture. Pour 3 tablespoons water into the pan. Cover skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until chicken is just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover and cook off any excess liquid if necessary. Stir in lemon juice.
• Serve chicken and vegetables topped with generous dollops of the fennel frond purée.

BRAISED LEEKS AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Place the fennel, leek, butter, bullion cube and wine in a saucepan. Bring to a slow simmer, cover tightly and cook 20 - 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile sauté the bacon until just crisp. Drain on paper towels and cut in 1/2" pieces. When the vegetables are done, stir in the bacon and the minced herbs. Correct seasoning with fish sauce and hot sauce to taste.

OVEN-BRAISED SHORT RIBS WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• 4. If necessary, rearrange the oven racks to accommodate the large size of the pan. Preheat the oven to 325°F. 5. Add the wine and bay leaves to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, or until reduced by half. Stir in the tomatoes and again bring to a boil, breaking up the tomatoes with the side of a large metal spoon. Add the browned ribs and any juices that accumulated in the bowl. Turn the ribs to coat them evenly with the tomato mixture. 6. Cover and braise in the lower half of the oven for 1 1/2 hour. Add the potatoes and continue to braise for 1 hour, until the meat is pulling away from the bones. 7. Use a slotted spoon or spatula and tongs to lift the ribs from the pan to a platter. Discard any loose bones. Remove fat and connective tissue. 8. Pour the remaining contents of the Dutch oven through a strainer set over a large bowl. Discard the bay leaves and then spoon the strained vegetables onto the ribs. Cover the platter with aluminum foil and keep warm in the turned-off oven. 9. Use a large metal spoon to spoon off and discard the fat that comes to the top of the bowl and then pour the juices into a small saucepan, or pour the juices into a fat separator and then pour the defatted juices into a small saucepan. Alternatively, chill the strained juices for several hours or overnight and lift off the fat that solidifies on top with a skimmer. Refrigerate the ribs and vegetables, tightly covered, and then return them to the Dutch oven with the defatted juices and slowly reheat over low heat. 10. Reheat the juices to a simmer, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Pour the juices over the short ribs and vegetables and serve hot.