Pork Chops With Fennel Salt And Apple Salad Recipes

SPICED ROAST PORK WITH FENNEL AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Pork:
• Cook chiles, star anise, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorns, and cloves in a dry small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until slightly darkened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Let cool. Set one-fourth of spice mixture aside.
• Blend garlic, vinegar, ¼ cup oil, and ¼ cup water in a blender until smooth. Add remaining toasted spices and blend, adding splashes of water if needed to help turn the blades, until chile paste is mostly smooth; some texture is okay.
• Season pork with 1 tsp. kosher salt per pound (check the butcher's sticker on the package to see the weight of what you purchased). Smear half of chile paste all over pork; transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet or a roasting pan and let sit at room temperature at least 2 hours, or cover and chill up to 12 hours.
• Finely grind reserved spice mixture in a spice mill or with mortar and pestle. Transfer to a small skillet; stir in remaining ¼ cup oil. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring, until spices have darkened slightly and are fragrant, about 1 minute. Let spice oil cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Cover and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 275°F. Roast pork until paste is darkened and looks dried out and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 120°F, 1½-2 hours, depending on the size. Make sure to take the temperature in more than one spot as there will be thick and thin parts of the roast. Let rest 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Rub pork with reserved chile paste and roast until marinade has formed a fragrant crust and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 130°F, 8-12 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes. Thinly slice and transfer to a platter. Spoon reserved spice oil over pork; sprinkle with sea salt.
• Salad and assembly:
• Toss fennel bulb and fronds, apple, lime zest and juice, chiles, and cilantro in a large bowl; season salad with salt. Drizzle oil over and toss to coat. Serve pork with salad.

PORK CHOPS WITH WARM FENNEL-APPLE SLAW

Steps:

• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Season the pork chops liberally with salt and pepper and sear in the pan until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chops to a plate and let them rest.
• Return the same skillet to medium heat and add in the fennel, onion and caraway seeds. Saute, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to tenderize, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mustard, vinegar and whiskey (if using) and continue cooking until the liquids have mostly reduced, 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated apple and reserved fennel fronds; adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper.
• Serve the pork chops over the warm fennel-apple slaw.

PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL SALT AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a small frying pan over a medium heat. Dry-fry the fennel seeds for about 3 minutes or until darker and fragrant. Meanwhile, heat the grill of a barbecue over medium-high heat.
• Pound fennel seeds, salt and peppercorns with a mortar and pestle until ground coarsely. Reserve 1/2 teaspoon of the seed mixture. Spread remaining seed mixture onto a plate. Dip the chops into the mixture, coating as evenly as possible.
• Drizzle a little oil over one side of the chops and spread with the back of a spoon, being careful not to dislodge the spice mix. Place the oiled side down onto the grill, then oil the side facing up. Cook chops for 3-4 minutes. Then turn and cook for a further 3-4 minutes or until juices run clear. (This cooking time is for a fairly thick chop.) Transfer to a plate; cover loosely with foil and stand for 5 minutes.
• Slice apple finely then cut into long thin strips. Scatter over the lettuce in a bowl.
• Combine the lemon juice, 1 tablelspoon olive oil, mustard and reserved seed mixture in a jug or bowl. Whisk with a fork until well combined.
• Just before serving, drizzle dressing over the lettuce and apple; serve with the chops.