Sweet Fennel – the second showing

The sweet fennel looks like soldiers.

The sweet fennel looks like soldiers.

Back in the spring I planted sweet fennel.  I got about 8 bulbs in by half wine barrel planter.  In a short time, the bulbs grew to 2.5” as shown here.  I could eat them…but I waited longer, they got bigger and sweeter.  I cut them back for a few dinners here and there, careful to leave the roots in tack, just cutting the bulb off.  And by mid-summer I had 2 or 3 new little fennel bulbs growing off each root.  They grew throughout the summer, and just as I was about to harvest them off, they bolted!  Those little guys were so eager to set seeds they shot up overnight.  So, now, no fennel for me this fall, but next spring for sure.

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August 11 2009 | Gardening and Growing Food and Photography | No Comments »

Pork Tenderloin w/ Cherry Reduction, Sautéed Fennel, and Spinach Chive Toast

Pork Marinade

½ cup cranberry or blueberry or cherry juice

1 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp soy sauce

3/4 pound pork tenderloin

Salt and pepper

Mix first 3 ingredients in a bowl and marinade tenderloin for a minimum of 15 minutes.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then grill pork off heat on BBQ for 10-15 mins.  Keep basting with marinade as it cooks. Allow to rest for 5 minutes then serve it sliced widthwise ½” thick.

Cherry Reduction

1/2 pound dark sweet cherries, pitted and chopped (about 1 cup)

1 tsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp finely chopped red onion

2 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp sweet wine (I used rhubarb wine)

Process all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until fine.  Transfer to a skillet and bring to a boil on med-high heat, stirring constantly.  Reduce to medium and continue stirring as the sauce thickens and reduces by about half the original volume, about 8 minutes.  Spoon finished reduction over pork tenderloin to serve.

Sautéed Fennel

2 fennel bulbs

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Chop fennel bulbs by slicing the bulb crosswise starting at one corner and continue to create ¼” thick pieces.  Discard the stalk and foliage.  Warm olive oil in a skillet on med-high heat.  Sautee fennel until slightly soft, about 3-5 minutes.  Do not overcook.  Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Spinach Chive Toast

Handful of chives

Handful of spinach

Large knob of butter (about ¼ cup)

Dollop of olive oil.

Mix all ingredients in a food processor until butter is completely mixed, and spread on hot toast. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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June 14 2009 | Recipes | No Comments »

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