Pork Chops with Orange and Fennel Salad

Pork Chops with Orange and Fennel Salad

Fennel-coated pork chops with a warm citrus-and-fennel salad is a excellent antidote to a dreary winter day. Suits well with whole-grain bread or brown rice.

Ingredients

    ·      3 navel oranges

    ·      1 teaspoon lemon juice

    ·      1/2 teaspoon sugar

    ·      1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

    ·      1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

    ·      4 4 -ounce boneless pork chops, 1/2 inch thick, trimmed

    ·      2 teaspoons fennel seeds, roughly chopped or coarsely ground in a spice grinder

    ·      1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

    ·      1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

    ·      1 large fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced

    ·      1 shallot, chopped

    ·      3 cups watercress or arugula, tough stems removed

         

•          Remove the skin and white pith from oranges with a sharp knife. Working over a bowl, cut the segments from their surrounding membranes. Squeeze juice in the bowl before discarding membranes. Transfer the segments with a slotted spoon to another bowl. Whisk lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch and 1/4 teaspoon salt into the bowl with the orange juice. Set aside.

•             Season pork chops on both sides with fennel seeds, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chops and cook until browned and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

•        Add sliced fennel and shallot to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add watercress (or arugula) and cook, stirring, until it begins to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir in the reserved orange segments, and then transfer the contents of the pan to a platter.

•         Add the reserved orange juice mixture and any accumulated juices from the pork chops to the pan. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Serve the pork chops on the fennel salad, drizzled with the pan sauce.