Fennel Chips Recipes

BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Make the brine: Put salt, sugar, bay leaves, peppercorns, allspice and fennel seeds in a bowl. Whisk in 4 cups water to dissolve salt and sugar.
• Put pork chops in one layer in a glass or plastic container. Pour brine over to completely submerge chops. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably longer, up to overnight. Remove chops from brine and pat dry. Discard brine.
• Cook the chops: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Set a wide, heavy skillet over high heat and add olive oil. When oil is wavy, add chops in one layer and let brown for about 3 minutes per side.
• Remove chops from pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium-high and add sliced onion and fennel, stirring to coat with oil. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and crushed fennel seeds and turn off heat.
• Lay the chops on top of the onion-fennel mixture (alternatively, transfer all of it to a baking dish) and place pan, uncovered, in oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the internal temperature of chops is 140 degrees.
• Remove chops and let rest for about 5 minutes. Transfer onion-fennel mixture to a platter and keep warm. Cut chops into 1/8-inch slices and add to platter. Sprinkle with parsley and garnish with fennel fronds. Serve with lemon wedges.

FENNEL SPICE CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chips on a cookie sheet and put them in oven for 4 to 5 minutes.
• When oil is visible on the chips, take them out of the oven, and sprinkle with some of the spice rub. Let them cool and serve.
• 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 and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.
• Yield: 1 1/4 cups

FENNEL CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat; set aside.
• Place glucose, 6 tablespoons water, salt, and citric acid in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Place fennel in an even layer in a vacuum bag; add glucose solution and seal on highest setting of a vaccum sealer. Let stand for at least 5 minutes. Remove fennel from bag and pat dry.
• Spray prepared baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; wipe off any excess. Lay fennel slices in an even layer on baking sheet; top fennel with a second nonstick baking mat. Transfer to oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove second nonstick baking mat and continue baking until fennel is dry and crisp, about 1 hour.

ANISE-SPICED SQUASH SOUP WITH FENNEL CHIPS

Steps:

• Make soup:
• Cook fennel, squash, onion, and anise seeds in butter in a 6- to 8-quart pot over moderate heat, covered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Add water and simmer, covered, until squash is very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids) and season with salt and pepper.
• Make fennel chips:
• Preheat oven to 225°F.
• Boil water and sugar in a small saucepan, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Cut fennel bulb lengthwise into paper-thin slices using a mandoline or other manual slicer. Pour sugar mixture over fennel in a bowl and let stand 5 minutes.
• Put Silpat or Exopat pad on a baking sheet. Shake off excess liquid from fennel slices and arrange on pad in 1 layer (don't let slices touch). Bake in middle of oven 1 hour, or until dry and crisp. Working quickly, carefully peel chips off liner and transfer to a rack to cool. Top soup with chips.
• *Available at bakeware shops and by mail order from Bridge Kitchenware, (800) 274-3435 or (212) 838-1901

FENNEL SPICE CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*F. Place the chips on a cookie sheet and put them in oven for 4 to 6 minutes.
• When oil is visible on the chips and they start to get shiny, take them out of the oven, and sprinkle with a generous amount of the spice rub. Let them cool and serve.
• To Make Fennel Spice Rub:
• Place the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds will 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(I use a small coffee grinder) and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.
• Yield: 1 1/4 cups.