Minestrone With Fennel And Ham Recipes

CLASSIC MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Add leek, carrots, zucchini, green beans and celery. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
• Stir in the stock, tomatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil, then replace the lid, and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 30 minutes.
• Stir in the cannellini beans with liquid and pasta. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

MINESTRONE WITH FENNEL AND HAM

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or kettle cook onions, celery, carrot, garlic, and crushed red pepper in hot olive oil or cooking oil until onion is tender.
• Stir in the chicken or beef broth, undrained tomatoes, tomato juice, fennel or cabbage, and Italian seasoning. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in the cannellini or great northern beans, zucchini, green beans, pasta, and prosciutto or ham. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables and pasta are tender.
• To serve, ladle soup into bowls; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Cool soup. Cover and chill up to 48 hours. Reheat over medium heat, stirring frequently.

PORK CHOPS SMOTHERED WITH FENNEL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Pat chops dry with a paper towel and add to the skillet.
• Braise for 3 to 6 minutes on each side, or until they turn a nice, deep golden brown.
• Remove the fat from the skillet.
• Leaving the pork chops in the skillet, remove it from the heat and add butter, garlic, and green onions.
• Saute for 1 minute in the hot skillet.
• Return the skillet to heat and add the chicken broth, wine, and fennel.
• Bring to a boil.
• Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove the chops to an ovenproof casserole dish and cover foil lid.
• Place in the oven and let the chops continue cooking for 20 minutes.
• While the chops bake, simmer the sauce in the skillet for 5 minutes or until slightly reduced.
• In a small bowl, mix the remaining room-temperature broth with the cornstarch.
• Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce and simmer for 1 minute or until slightly thickened.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Serve chops with sauce spooned over each portion.
• Good served with rice pilaf!
• I originally found this at Gail's Recipe Swap, posted by Cyndi who got it from "Around the Southern Table" by Sarah Belk.

FENNEL BAKED WITH HAM AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Blanch the fennel blubs and drain them. Pour the oil into a baking dish that can be used both on top of the stove and in the oven. Add garlic, fennel and ham, cook over a medium heat until they just begin to turn golden.
• Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat five minutes.
• Sprinkle on the bread crumbs and cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is browned and bubbling.

FENNEL & PANCETTA MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Dry-fry the lardons for 7-10 mins or until they begin to release their oils. Add the spring onions and cook gently for 5 mins or until softened, then add the garlic and fennel seeds, and cook for a few mins more. Add the fennel, cook for a few mins, then pour in the stock and 500ml water.
• Simmer for 5 mins, then drop in the pasta and bring to the boil. Cook the pasta following pack instructions, then tip in the peas, cook for 2 mins more and season to taste. Divide between two bowls and top each with a dollop of pesto and some fennel fronds. Serve with crusty bread.