Best Fennel Pork Chops 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.

PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet heat the olive oil over high heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Add the pork to the pan and brown on both sides, about 4 minutes each side. Remove the pork from the pan, cover loosely with foil, and set aside.
• Add the fennel, shallots, and 1/3 cup parsley to the pan and cook over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the wine. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and stir. Add the pork back into the pan, nestling the chops between the fennel and tomatoes so they are mostly submerged in the pan juices. Cook until the fennel is tender and the pork is done, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Place the pork on a serving dish. To finish the sauce, add the lemon zest, remaining 1/3 cup parsley, capers, and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Spoon over the pork chops and serve immediately.

CRISPY FENNEL PORK CHOPS WITH PAN-FRIED FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat half the oil in a frying pan and fry the spring onions and fennel for 5 to 6 minutes over a medium-high heat until they begin to soften and become golden. Add the spices and cook for a minute more, tossing the onions and fennel until coated, then remove from the pan and set aside.
• Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Increase the heat and fry the chops for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until lovely and golden and nearly cooked through.
• Return the spring onions and fennel to the pan with a splash of water and the vinegar. Bubble for 1 minute, then serve.

PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss fennel, carrots, onion, and garlic with 3 tablespoons oregano and 4 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until vegetables are tender and browned in spots, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Season pork chops with salt and pepper and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons oregano. In batches, cook until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer 2 pork chops and 1 cup roasted vegetables to separate airtight containers; refrigerate, up to 3 days. Serve 4 pork chops with remaining vegetables and lemon wedges.

FENNEL PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Sprinkle garlic salt on both sides of the pork chops. The garlic salt should pretty well cover the chops. Don't be skimpy, but at the same time, don't put on too much.
• Pour a little olive oil or other cooking oil into a skillet. Put the pork chops in the frying pan and sprinkle fennel seeds on top of the pork chops: 10 to 15 fennel seeds per pork chop will probably do. Let the underside of the pork chop brown then turn over. Once both sides are browned, flip again.
• Pour the wine into frying pan; cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes and flip the pork chops over. Cover them again and let them simmer for another 10 minutes. Make sure the wine doesn't completely evaporate or the pork chops will burn. You may have to add a little more wine or water to the pan.

FENNEL-CRUSTED PORK CHOPS WITH POTATOES AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Toast fennel seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Let cool.
• Combine fennel seeds, garlic, paprika, and 2 tablespoons oil in a small bowl. Season pork with salt and pepper and place in a resealable plastic bag. Add spice mixture; seal bag and turn to coat. Let sit at least 30 minutes.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat. Cook pork chops until golden brown on 1 side, about 4 minutes; turn. Add potatoes and shallots to skillet; season with salt and pepper and toss to coat in pan drippings. Cook, tossing potatoes and shallots occasionally, until pork is golden brown on second side, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer to oven and roast until potatoes are tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of chops registers 135°F, 10-15 minutes. (If potatoes need more time, transfer chops to a plate and continue to roast potatoes until tender; transfer chops back to skillet when potatoes are done.) Remove skillet from oven and mix in parsley and vinegar. Let pork chops rest 5 minutes in skillet.
• Transfer chops to a cutting board; cut meat from bones and slice against the grain. Serve with potatoes, shallots, and any pan juices.
• DO AHEAD: Pork chops can be marinated 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

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-RUBBED PORK CHOPS WITH APPLE, KALE, AND SWEET POTATO

Steps:

• Place fennel seeds and peppercorns in a small zip-top plastic bag. Seal bag and pound spices using a mallet or rolling pin until coarsely ground, or pulse them briefly in a spice or coffee grinder. Sprinkle mixture and 1/4 teaspoon salt on both sides of chops.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add sweet potatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until fork-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, then transfer to a plate.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add chops and reduce heat to medium; cook, turning once, about 4 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest parts registers 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Transfer chops to a plate and tent with foil.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the onion to the skillet; cook until onion softens, about 2 minutes. Add apple; cook 1 minute more. Add broth, stirring to scrape up browned bits, then stir in mustard and sweet potatoes. Increase heat to medium-high; simmer until apple is slightly softened and liquid has slightly reduced, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add kale and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender, about 1 minute. Add any accumulated juices from the plate with pork. Serve chops with vegetable mixture.

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.

BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL POLLEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 quarts water with the salt, sugar, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, red pepper, bay leaves, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. (The amount of salt and sugar you use depends on your personal taste.) Submerge the pork chops in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 2 days (if you don't have 2 days, at least brine the chops overnight). Remove the chops from the brine, discard the brine, and cook these bad boys!
• Preheat the grill to medium-high.
• Roll the fat edge of each pork chop in the fennel pollen.
• Place the chops on the grill over medium-high heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Rotate the chops 90 degrees to create beautiful crosshatched grill marks; continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the chops over and repeat this process on the second side. If the chops start to burn, move them to a cooler part of the grill. Stand the chops up and grill the fat edge-you want to get it nice and crispy and release the lovely aroma of the fennel pollen. Remove the chops from the grill and let them rest in a warm place for 8 to 10 minutes before serving. The meat should be pink in the middle and very juicy.
• ANNE ALERT!
• This is a plan-ahead recipe! The brine takes a couple of days, but it's really worth the effort.

PORK THREE WAYS: BRINED PORK CHOPS, FENNEL-FONTINA SAUSAGE, AND SWISS CHARD WITH BACON AND FENNEL OVER POLENTA CAKES

Steps:

• For the brine: In a large container, add the salt, sugar, coriander, red pepper flakes, fennel, celery, garlic, and enough water to cover the chops and stir to combine. Submerge the pork chops in the brine and let sit in the refrigerator until ready to cook, at least 30 minutes.
• Bring the chops to room temperature before cooking. Remove the chops from the brine, discarding the brine.
• For the chops: Preheat a cast iron pan.
• Roll the fat edge of each pork chop in the fennel pollen. Place the pork chops gently in the heated pan.
• Sear the chops on all sides and cook for about 9 minutes. Remove the chops from the pan and let rest in a warm place before serving. The doneness of the meat should be about medium to medium-well and be very juicy.
• For the fennel-fontina sausage: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season the pork shoulder with the garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, and coriander. Grind the pork twice through the large grind of a stand mixer fitted with a meat grinder attachment. Gently stir in the cheese. Add the cold water and mix lightly. Stuff the ground pork into a casing using the sausage horn attachment to the stand mixer and twist off into evenly sized links. Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet pan and roast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Preheat a saute pan and drizzle with olive oil. Remove the sausages from the oven and brown them in the pan.
• For the Swiss chard: Coat a saute pan with olive oil. Toss in the garlic, red pepper flakes, bacon, and a couple drops olive oil. Bring the pan to medium heat. When the garlic is golden and very aromatic, remove it and discard.
• When the bacon has become crispy, toss in the Swiss chard stems and fennel and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, as needed, and season with salt. When the chicken stock has reduced, toss in the Swiss chard leaves and season with salt. Cook the leaves until they are just wilted, 3 to 4 minutes.
• For the polenta cakes: In a saucepan, combine the milk, water, bay leaf, and cayenne. Bring the mixture to a boil over low heat and season generously with salt. (Take the seasoning to the edge of too salty. To do this you must taste as you go. Polenta acts as a salt eraser, if you don't season abundantly here you will never recover from it.)
• Once the liquid is at a boil and is seasoned appropriately, sprinkle in the polenta, whisking constantly. Once the polenta is combined, switch over to a wooden spoon and stir frequently until the polenta has become thick. Taste the polenta to see if it has cooked through. If it still feels mealy and grainy, add some more milk or water and cook it to a thick consistency. Repeat this process, as needed, until the polenta feels smooth on your tongue, about 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and stir in the chopped sage and mascarpone.
• Line a 7 by 7-inch square pan with plastic wrap. Pour the polenta into the prepared pan. Cover the top with more plastic wrap smoothed onto the surface of the polenta. Chill in the refrigerator until needed. (All of this can totally be done ahead of time, like yesterday! Cool!)
• Remove the polenta from the pan and cut into desired shapes. Coat a nonstick saute pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot and starting to smoke just a little, add the polenta shapes. Cook the polenta on both sides and finish by sprinkling with a little bit of grated Parmigiano.
• For plating: Place 1 polenta cake on each plate and top with Swiss chard and bacon. Lean 1 chop on each polenta cake. Slice the sausages on the bias and plate 2 slices on each plate. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet heat the olive oil over high heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
• Add the pork to the pan and brown on both sides, about 4 minutes each side. Remove the pork from the pan, cover loosely with foil, and set aside.
• Add the fennel, shallots, and 1/3 cup parsley to the pan and cook over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the wine. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and stir.
• Add the pork back into the pan, nestling the chops between the fennel and tomatoes so they are mostly submerged in the pan juices. Cook until the fennel is tender and the pork is done, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Place the pork on a serving dish. To finish the sauce, add the lemon zest, remaining 1/3 cup parsley, capers, and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Spoon over the pork chops and serve immediately.

PANFRIED PORK CHOPS WITH POMEGRANATE AND FENNEL SALSA

Steps:

• Halve fennel bulb lengthwise and core it, then cut into 1/4-inch dice. Cook fennel in 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer fennel to a bowl and stir in pomegranate seeds, scallions, cilantro, vinegar, honey, and salt.
• Pat pork chops dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chops until deep golden and just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Transfer chops to plates and let stand, loosely covered, 5 minutes.
• Serve chops topped with salsa.

FENNEL-CRUSTED PORK CHOPS WITH WINTER CELERIAC SLAW

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the oil, fennel seeds, oregano, chilli and some seasoning on a shallow plate. Rub each pork chop on both sides in the mixture. Place on a baking tray and roast for 40 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the slaw. Put the mayonnaise, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, sugar and a good pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well, then toss in the vegetables.
• When the pork chops are done, set aside 2 of the chops with one-third of the slaw for lunch. Divide remaining slaw between 4 plates and add a pork chop to each.

PORK CHOPS SMOTHERED WITH FENNEL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat chops dry and add to skillet. Cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until deep golden brown. Pour off fat.
• Remove skillet from heat (leave pork chops in skillet) and add garlic. Cook 1 minute in the hot skillet.
• Return skillet to heat and add 1 cup broth, the wine and fennel, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer covered 5 minutes.
• Remove chops to a pie plate or other ovenproof dish and cover lightly with foil (set skillet aside). Place chops in the oven and cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 160 degrees when placed near the bone.
• Meanwhile, simmer the sauce in the skillet 5 minutes or until reduced slightly.
• In a small cup or bowl mix remaining 1/4 cup broth (it should be cold or room temperature) with the cornstarch. Add this mixture to the sauce and boil 1 minute, or until lightly thickened. Taste, adding salt and pepper, if desired. Serve chops "smothered" with sauce.

GRILLED FENNEL-SPICED PORK CHOPS WITH SAGE-LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For vinaigrette: Combine the sage, lemon juice, zest, shallot, honey, salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil and blend until emulsified. For Pork: 1. Heat your grill to medium-high. Place the fennel seeds, salt, and peppercorns in a spice mill and process until finely ground. Alternatively, combine the spices ona cutting board and crush them with the bottom of a heavy pot. 2. Brush pork with oil and season on both sides with fennel mixture. 3. Grill the pork until slightly charred on both sides and cooked to medium-well, 4-5 min per side. 4. Transfer pork to a place and immediately drizzle each chop with 2 T of the sage-lemon vinaigrette. Let the chops rest for 5 minutes until serving. Serving the remaining vinaigrette on the side if desired.

PORK CHOPS WITH TOMATO & FENNEL SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add the tablespoon of oil. Add onions and fennel and saute for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the minced garlic and cook an additional minute. Add tomatoes, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and salt and pepper and simmer for ten to fifteen minutes.
• Whilst the sauce is cooking, about five minutes into simmering time, take the garlic clove and rub both sides of the chops. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook chops about 3-4 minutes on each side on grill, grill pan, or skillet. (I used a George Foreman and find 3 minutes per side perfect.) Allow meat to rest a minute before serving.

FENNEL-BRINED PORK CHOPS WITH QUINCE CHUTNEY

Steps:

• For the brine: Bring all the ingredients to a simmer in a saucepan. Transfer to a bowl and chill the brine quickly by placing the bowl in an ice bath. Put the chops in a nonreactive container just large enough to hold them in a single layer. Add the chilled brine-it should cover the chops-then cover the container and refrigerate overnight. Remove the chops from the brine, pat dry, and bring to room temperature before roasting.
• For the chutney: In a saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, vinegar, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the quince, stir to moisten, and return to a simmer. Adjust the heat to maintain a brisk simmer and cook until the quince is tender but not mushy, about 12 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon stick.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or other ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the chops. Cook until nicely browned in spots, 3 to 4 minutes, then turn the chops with tongs, reduce the heat slightly, and sear on the second side, about 2 minutes. Place the skillet in the oven. Roast until the chops register 135°F on an instant-read thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes longer. (Insert the thermometer horizontally to get an accurate reading.) Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle.
• To serve, transfer the chops to individual dinner plates or a serving platter. Spoon some of the chutney over them, or pass the chutney separately. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve or another barrel-fermented Chardonnay.

PORK CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND CAPER SAUCE RECIPE COURTESY GIADA DE LAURENTIIS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet heat the olive oil over high heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Add the pork to the pan and brown on both sides, about 4 minutes each side. Remove the pork from the pan, cover loosely with foil, and set aside. Add the fennel, shallots, and 1/3 cup parsley to the pan and cook over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the wine. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and stir. Add the pork back into the pan, nestling the chops between the fennel and tomatoes so they are mostly submerged in the pan juices. Cook until the fennel is tender and the pork is done, about 12 to 15 minutes. Place the pork on a serving dish. To finish the sauce, add the lemon zest, remaining 1/3 cup parsley, capers, and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Spoon over the pork chops and serve immediately.

FENNEL BRAISED PORK CHOPS WITH AN APPLE CIDER DEMI GLACE; APPLE CIDER DEMI GLACE RECIPE

Steps:

• Dami Glace Directions: Set a heavy saucepan (preferably non-stick) over high heat. Add the apple cider and bring the liquid to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a steady simmer and cook until the cider is reduced by half. Add the apple cider vinegar to the pan and simmer until the mixture is reduced by one-third. Next add the garlic, shallots, bay leaves, peppercorns, and the chicken stock. Bring the liquid to a controlled boil and cook until the sauce is reduced by about two thirds. When approximately 1 cup of liquid remains, take the pan off the heat and pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl. Press down on any solids with a spoon, extracting as much liquid as possible. Return the strained liquid to the pan, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the demi glace resembles the consistency of honey (it will be reduced to about 4 Tablespoons). Carefully scrape the demi glace into a heatproof bowl, stir in a tiny pinch of white pepper and taste to see if salt is needed. Set aside until ready to use for the pork. The demi glace can be made ahead and kept up to one week in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before using (otherwise it will be very thick and hard to spread). Pork Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees with a rack in the middle. In the bottom of a medium size 2-3″ deep casserole dish layer apple slices, fennel fronds, fennel slices, and thyme sprigs. In a small bowl mix together the sage, black pepper, ground fennel, and garlic powder. Rub the spice mixture on both sides of the pork chops. Place the pork chops on top of the layered vegetables in the casserole dish. Drizzle argan oil on top of the chops and pour the apple cider into a corner of the casserole dish. Cover the dish with foil and place in the oven. Bake for 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, remove the foil, check the temperature of the pork by sticking a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chop. Brush the demi glace on top of each pork chop. Continue to bake, uncovered, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees, about 15-30 minutes depending on the thickness of the chop. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the pork chops to a platter. Serve with cooked apples and fennel alongside the pork.