Roasted Olives Fennel Lemon Food

FENNEL BRAISED WITH OLIVE OIL AND LEMON

Steps:

• Trim the tops and bottoms from the fennel bulbs, reserving a handful of the fronds. Quarter the bulbs. Set each quarter on its side and slice off most of the core. Cut the quarters into wedges about 1-inch thick (don't worry if some pieces fall off the wedge-use those too).
• In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the fennel and cook, without stirring, until golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Stir and let some more pieces brown for a minute or two.
• Stir in 1/2 cup water, scraping the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat to medium and cover the pan. Simmer, shaking the pan and adding more liquid occasionally if the pan is dry, until the fennel is very tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the reserved fennel fronds and mix them with the lemon zest.
• When the fennel is tender, stir in the lemon juice and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the olives, remove from the heat and let stand for about 1 minute to warm the olives. Transfer the fennel to a platter. Sprinkle the fennel frond mixture over the top, drizzle with additional olive oil and serve.

30-MINUTE COD WITH LEMONY BRAISED FENNEL

Steps:

• Trim the tops and bottoms from the fennel bulbs, reserving a handful of the fronds for garnish. Quarter the bulbs. Set each quarter on its side and slice off most of the core. Cut the quarters into wedges about 1-inch thick (don't worry if some pieces fall off the wedge-use those too).
• Put 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Place over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the fennel and cook without stirring until fennel is brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Stir and let the fennel continue to cook until some more pieces brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup water to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and several grinds of pepper. Lower the heat to medium, cover the skillet, and cook 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cod with salt and pepper and place on top of the fennel. Cover the pan again and simmer, adding more liquid occasionally if the pan is dry, until the fennel is very tender and the cod is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the reserved fennel fronds (you should have about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons) and remove the zest from the lemon. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and allow to cool. Mix the fennel fronds and lemon zest into the breadcrumbs until combined.
• Juice the lemon. Roughly chop the olives.
• When the cod and fennel are done, stir in the lemon juice and the olives. Remove from the heat and let stand for about 1 minute to warm the olives. Transfer the fennel and cod to serving bowls and top the fish with the toasted breadcrumbs. Pour any remaining pan juices over the fennel.

LEMON FENNEL OLIVES

Steps:

• Put a layer of olives in the bottom of a glass jar. Add several slices of lemon, fennel and garlic, and sprinkle with grains of pepper and some fennel seeds. Continue layering olives and flavorings until jar is full. Cover olives with oil and set aside to store in a cool dark place until ready to give or serve.

FENNEL, ENDIVE AND FRISEE WITH CASTELVETRANO OLIVES, SHALLOTS AND LEMON

Steps:

• Gently crush olives between your palm and the countertop. Remove pits and tear olives into 2 to 3 pieces. Put frisee, endive, fennel, shallot and olives into a bowl and mix gently with Lemon Vinaigrette. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine all ingredients in a dressing bottle or small bowl. Mix well before using.

CHICKEN ROASTED WITH FENNEL AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Split the chicken in half, slicing only through the backbone and removing it, or ask your butcher to do this.
• In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, garlic, fennel seeds and parsley with one teaspoon of salt, a quarter teaspoon of freshly ground pepper and two tablespoons olive oil.
• Rub three-quarters of the resulting paste evenly under the skin of the chicken, including the thighs, being careful not to tear the skin. Rub the remaining paste on the underside of the chicken. Squeeze the juice of the lemon quarters on the cut surfaces and save the lemon.
• Choose a baking dish that snugly accommodates the butterflied chicken. Oil the pan lightly and scatter half of the olives, the lemon quarters and the fennel branches (if used) about the pan. Place the chicken skin-side up in the dish with the wing tips tucked under. Brush lightly with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and scatter the remaining olives over the chicken.
• Place the chicken, uncovered, on the middle rack of the oven.
• Roast the chicken, basting every 15 minutes, until it is golden brown and the joints move freely. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reads 170 degrees, about one hour.

ROASTED FENNEL WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES & POTATOES

Steps:

• Boil potatoes until tender, about 8 mins.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Halve and quarter the fennel through the root, then trim off the hard core. Slice the fennel and tip into a roasting tin with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss the fennel in the oil until it is glistening. Roast for 20-25 mins, until starting to soften.
• Add tomatoes, olives and potatoes and stir well. Return to the oven for 10-15 mins until the fennel is tender, with a bit of crunch. Tip into a warm dish to serve.