Caramelized Fennel with Orange & Crispy Maitakes

INGREDIENTS:

2 medium bulbs of fennel, sliced into 6 pieces each as you would an apple (roughly chop fronds and reserve)

1 orange, cut into supremes

1 cup maitake mushrooms, roughly chopped

~2 Tbsp. vegan or regular butter

Olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

STEPS:

Warm butter in a cast iron skillet or frying pan on medium low. Once butter begins bubbling place fennel slices on one side in the pan and sprinkle with salt. Coat another pan with a little olive oil and heat on medium, add maitakes, stir to coat in oil, and sprinkle with salt. Check on fennel slices - once they are golden brown on one side, flip, and sprinkle again with salt. Turn heat to medium-high under the mushrooms and continue to stir to ensure they fry evenly and do not stick to the pan. Once browned and crisp, remove maitakes from heat and set aside.

Once both sides of the fennel are golden brown and caramelized, lay pieces out on a plate. Add orange slices and maitake mushrooms. Sprinkle with fresh fennel fronds, a drizzel of olive oil, Maldon salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. Serve room temperature.