Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Pork, Sweet Potato & Fennel Stew

By: The Food Hunter

During the long winter months I often find myself craving a hearty bowl of stew. Whether it's made from beef, pork or chicken these all in one meals are the epitome of comfort food for me. What I  enjoy most about stew is swabbing up the rich savory meat based broth with pieces of crusty Italian bread.The flavors of pork and fennel in the stew below become more intense as it sits so I urge you to make extra and enjoy it for several nights.




Pork, Sweet Potato & Fennel Stew
 (printable recipe)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless pork shoulder or butt, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
kosher salt and black pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
6 fresh thyme sprigs
2 sweet potatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds), cut into 2-inch pieces
2 small fennel bulbs, quartered, plus 2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, for serving
crusty bread, for serving

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the pork with the fennel seeds and 1¼ teaspoons each salt and pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.

Add the broth and thyme sprigs and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, until the pork can be pierced with a fork, 30 to 40 minutes.

Add the sweet potatoes and fennel bulbs. Cook, covered, until the pork is tender and the vegetables are soft, 15 to 20 minutes more. Remove the thyme sprigs.

Serve the stew sprinkled with fennel fronds and bread on the side.

24 comments:

  1. I love stews in the winter, as well. This wouldn't last long in my house!

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  2. I love winter stews, and this one is so healthy! Fennel and pork go so well together!

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  3. I agree...there's nothing better than dipping bread into the broth of a great soup or stew. The addition of fennel to comfort foods is one of my favorite tricks for adding more flavor.

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  4. This sounds so yummy - especially today since its snowing AGAIN!

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  5. I am a true lover of fennel! I eat it mostly raw, 2 bulbs a week! But I do love it baked and cooked as it takes on a really great difference in flavor.

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  6. I love stew - fennel, pork, and sweet potatoes. This sounds like the perfect way to get warm.

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  7. Sopping up the tasty broth with bread is always a fun part of the meal...and this sound delish. Love the fennel.

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  8. Mmmmmmm ... pork and sweet potatoes are so wonderful together, and the addition of fennel sounds fantastic! And I totally agree with you that one of the very best things about a lovely, hearty winter stew is mopping up the delicious sauce with a beautiful, crusty piece of bread! Fantastic, easy, family-pleasing comfort food! So great! :D ~Shelley

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  9. I need soup in the winter like I need air in my lungs haha. I love it and I'm loving this pork and fennel together!

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  10. I don't often think of pork when I think to make a stew. This sounds like a great combo w/ the pork, fennel and sweet potato though. I need to think pork more!

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  11. This is such a lovely combination of ingredients - we've been on a sweet potato kick so this stew sounds perfect for us!

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  12. Theresa, this is one full flavored soup. I absolutely love it.

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  13. Sounds delicious! Love the addition of fennel. Pinning!

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  14. I love pork when it's paired with sweet potato!

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  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. The fennel.... oh my the fennel mmmmmm! This sounds so, so, so good! This is the only thing winters are good FOR! ;-)

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  17. I, too, love hearty stews during the winter months. Even when we have 70 degree winter nights!

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  18. I've recently learned to love sweet potatoes, and I'm always on the lookout for new recipes! Pinning to try soon!

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  19. This looks like an awesome way to use up fennel seeds. :)

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  20. I love stew, I have some brewing now actually. I love the idea of fennel in it. I really dig the taste of it. There's something about winter and stew, they go together like peanut butter and chocolate.

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  21. This sounds really good! I'm a huge fennel fan and it sounds just perfect for this stew!

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  22. This looks really good! Fennel is a favorite of mine & it sounds perfect for this stew!

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