One-Pan Bratwurst with Fennel, Olives, and Oranges
By Steve DunnPublished on December 2, 2024
Time
50 minutes
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
Before You Begin
We developed this recipe with bratwurst, but any fresh pork sausage links can be used. Other brine-cured green olives such as Cerignola or Picholine can be substituted for the Castelvetrano. Serve with crusty bread.
Instructions
- Cut each fennel bulb lengthwise through core into 8 wedges (do not remove core); set aside. Cut away peel and pith from oranges. Holding fruit over bowl, use paring knife to slice between membranes to release segments. Squeeze remaining juice from membranes to yield 2 tablespoons; set aside. Cut segments in half and place in second bowl.
- Bring bratwursts and ¼ cup water to simmer in 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook until bratwursts register about 135 degrees, 5 to 7 minutes. (If skillet contents begin to sizzle, add ¼ cup water.)
- Uncover and, using paring knife, pierce each bratwurst in 8 to 10 spots to release fat and juices. Continue to cook, uncovered, moving bratwursts as necessary, until dark fond forms on bottom of skillet, 2 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer bratwursts to cutting board.
- Add wine, 1 tablespoon oil, salt, pepper, and remaining 1¾ cups water to now-empty skillet. Stir, scraping up any browned bits. Add fennel wedges, arranging them cut side down in single layer. Add olives and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Adjust heat to maintain simmer; cover; and cook until fennel is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Flip wedges and continue to cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half, 5 to 7 minutes longer.
- While fennel cooks, add 2 teaspoons fennel fronds, vinegar, cornstarch, honey, and remaining 5 teaspoons oil to reserved orange juice and whisk to combine.
- Return bratwursts to pan, nestling links between fennel. Cover and continue to cook until bratwursts register 160 degrees, 7 to 12 minutes. Transfer bratwursts to cutting board and slice each link into thirds.
- Whisk orange juice mixture to recombine, then add to skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and glossy, about 1 minute. Off heat, season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide fennel and sauce among shallow bowls. Top with bratwursts and orange segments and garnish with remaining 4 teaspoons fronds. Serve.
Time
50 minutesYield
Serves 4Ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients
Why This Recipe Works
Sausages are a great focal point for speedy one-pan meals. Starting the sausages in a covered skillet with some water kept their casings from turning tough and leathery. We then pricked the links with the tip of a paring knife so that they would give up a bit of their fat and juices. When the juices evaporated, they formed a robust fond that could be deglazed from the pan with wine and used to create a braising liquid that deeply infused the fennel with savory, meaty flavor. Quick-to-prep and quick-to-cook ingredients rounded out the meals.
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