Orange Fennel Olive Relish Food

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ORANGE-FENNEL SEED-OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees and set the rack in the center.
• Place fennel seeds in a small frying pan and toast over medium heat until fragrant. Place seeds in a small bowl and combine with olives, juice, zest, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and set aside to marinate, at least 15 minutes.
• Heat a large ovenproof 12-inch frying pan over medium heat. Rub chicken with remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the pan, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip chicken over with tongs and put it in the oven to finish cooking. (If you're not using an ovenproof frying pan, transfer the chicken to a baking dish first). Roast chicken for about 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature registers 160 to 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.
• Take the chicken out and let it rest for 5 minutes so that the juices settle. Transfer to a serving plate and top with reserved olive mixture. Serve.

FENNEL AND OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Cut stalks from fennel bulbs, then chop enough fronds to measure 1/4 cup. Discard remaining fronds and stalks. Quarter bulbs, then finely chop in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Let stand 1 hour for flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature.

FENNEL-OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Combine first seven ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt.

SWEET SAUTEED BEETS WITH AN ORANGE, ONION & FENNEL RELISH

Steps:

• Vinaigrette -- Make this first and then just refrigerate until ready to use. In a small mixing bowl, or personally -- I like a small tupperware container, just add everything and shake, but a mixing bowl works good. Add the marmalade, vinegar, garlic, olive oil, chives, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix well and set to the side. It is even better made a few hours ahead, but it isn't necessary.
• Beets -- I make the beets all in one pan, but if you prefer to roast them in the oven first and then saute, that will work fine. I find it just as easy to fill a small sauce pan with water and add the beets. Make sure the water covers the beets. Cover and cook on medium low heat for approximately 20-30 minutes until tender but still firm. Remember, these will be peeled, diced and finished in a saute pan, so make sure they are tender, but a bit underdone - you don't want them falling apart.
• Relish -- As the beets cook, make the relish. To a small bowl, add the chopped oranges, fennel, onion, mandarin orange juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, thyme, salt and pepper. Slightly chill before serving.
• Beets -- Once the beets are done, remove from the pan and let cool until you can handle them. The peel will slide right off. Don't run them under water, just slide the peel off with your hands. I do use gloves as your hands will turn red. You can also put the beet in a small baggie and rub the outside of the baggie and that also works pretty good or use the back of a spoon, that is another trick. Then cut the beets in bite size wedges, not too small.
• Saute -- In the same pan, dump out any remaining water, add the olive oil and butter and bring to medium high heat. Add the beets and saute, 3-5 minutes until fork tender. That is why you didn't cook them all the way in the water. You don't want them falling apart. The last minute add in the vinaigrette and heat until warm. I usually use about 1/2 of the vinaigrette, but use as much as you want too. I start slow as the beets will absorb some of the sauce. The leftover vinaigrette is great on other salads or vegetables.
• Serve -- Serve over a bed of your favorite greens, or you can just serve as is. Top with the onion, fennel and orange relish. Garnish with some of the orange segments if you want and ENJOY!
• The vinaigrette is great with roasted chicken, fish, pork or vegetables so make sure you save the leftovers. ENJOY !

ORANGE, FENNEL, AND OLIVE SALAD WITH RED-PEPPER FLAKES

Steps:

• Halve, core, and thinly slice fennel bulb (preferably on a mandoline). In a bowl, toss fennel with lemon juice.
• Slice away peel and pith of oranges and cut flesh into segments. Add to bowl with fennel and stir in olives, reserved fennel fronds, and olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and red-pepper flakes.

SICILIAN FENNEL AND ORANGE SALAD WITH RED ONION AND MINT

Steps:

• Cut peel and pith from oranges. Cut between membranes to release segments.
• Toss orange segments, fennel, onion, mint, and oil in large bowl to coat. Season salad generously to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer salad to platter. Garnish with olives and serve immediately.

WARM OLIVES WITH FENNEL AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Place olives in medium bowl. Cover with 2 cups water; let stand 10 minutes. Drain.
• Combine olives, oil, thyme, garlic, fennel seeds, and orange peel in small skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until garlic is fragrant and oil is hot, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vinegar. Cool slightly; serve warm.

ORANGE-FENNEL-OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Grate 1 teaspoon orange zest, then remove peel and pith from oranges. Holding fruit above a bowl, use a small paring knife to cut between membranes and remove segments. Squeeze 1 tablespoon juice from membranes into a bowl.
• Cut segments into bite-size pieces; add to bowl with fennel, olives, mint leaves, and oil. Season with salt and pepper; serve.