Mackerel With Fennel Olives And Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipes

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.

ORZO WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup orzo as the label directs. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water. Toss the orzo and cooking water with 2 cups baby arugula, 1/4 cup each chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed) and parmesan, 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon lemon zest; season with salt and pepper.

FOUR-CHEESE BAKED PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Halve the garlic crosswise to expose the cloves. Wrap the bottom half in foil and roast until very soft, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the skins from the top half and chop the garlic.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sliced fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 2 more minutes. Add the tomato paste and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 3 more minutes. Add the tomatoes and 4 cups water; stir. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain, rinse under cold water and set aside.
• Pulse the focaccia in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skin and add to the food processor along with 1/4 cup each parmesan and parsley; pulse a few more times until combined. Set the breadcrumbs aside.
• Lightly brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Add the pasta and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce along with the fennel fronds, mozzarella, asiago and the remaining 1/4 cup each parmesan and parsley; toss. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with spoonfuls of the ricotta and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.
• Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until golden and bubbling, about 15 more minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

MACKEREL WITH FENNEL, OLIVES, AND SUN DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet with the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the fennel and onions and cook until brown and tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the thyme, rosemary, lemon and orange peel, pepper flakes, olives, and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook until herbs and zest are fragrant, about 3 minutes more. Transfer vegetables to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Wipe out the skillet.
• Make 1-inch diagonal slashes into the fishes' skin to prevent the mackerel from curling while cooking. Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet over high heat and season the mackerel with salt and pepper. Place fish skin side down in the skillet and cook undisturbed until crisp brown and a spatula can easily be slipped under the fish to flip, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the fish over and cook another 2 minutes, until just firm. Set on top of the fennel mixture and serve.

GEMELLI PASTA WITH FENNEL JUICE, BROCCOLI AND OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees F. Slice tops of Romas off and then cut in half lengthwise. Mix in a bowl with sugar and salt. Place on a sheet pan cut-side up and bake for 2 1/2 hours. Turn oven off and leave tomatoes inside overnight. The next day turn the oven on to 200 degrees F. and slow roast the tomatoes for 5 to 7 more hours, depending on size. The tomatoes should be shriveled, but not at all crispy. Remove from oven, let cool, and then cut into julienne strips. Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees F. Place whole garlic cloves and 1/4 cup olive oil in an aluminum foil packet and bake for 2 1/2 hours. Cloves should be very soft. Place cloves in blender or food processor and puree to a smooth paste, scraping down sides occasionally. Julienne one large head of fennel, toss with 1 tablespoon oil, a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper, and roast in oven for 2 hours.
• Dice remaining fennel, put in a saucepan, just cover with water, and simmer until very soft. Puree in a blender. Allow to cool slightly and squeeze liquids out through a cheesecloth, reserving liquid. Discard solids. Cook pasta in 2 quarts rapidly boiling salted water, drain and set aside. Heat remaining oil in a skillet, add slivered garlic and stir until golden brown. Add broccoli rabe, saute to warm it, add crushed red pepper and oregano (if using dry). Add fennel juice and reduce by half. Add roasted fennel, oven-dried tomatoes, garlic puree, and oregano (if using fresh). Stir in pasta. Serve in shallow bowls and garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese.

FETTUCCINE WITH SHRIMP AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Bring the water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and re-boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
• Place the pine nuts on a cookie sheet and put in the oven for about 3 minutes, until slightly browned. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, stack the basil leaves and slice into julienne strips. Use a very sharp knife to avoid bruising the basil, causing it to turn black. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and add the shrimp to the hot pan. Cook for 1 minute before turning and cooking on the other side. Add the tomatoes to the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat and add the basil, garlic, red pepper, and half the pine nuts. Adjust seasoning.
• When pasta is al dente, drain and toss it in the saute pan with the shrimp/tomato/herb mixture. Divide among 4 plates and garnish each serving with the remaining pine nuts.