Fennel is one of those vegetables whose potential in the kitchen is often underestimated. Fennel is mainly known for the use of its seeds, and few know that practically all the other parts of the vegetable can also be used to prepare fantastic dishes. The green stems, bulb or root can be used to flavor many of your dishes. Once you have learned how to cook fennel, the possibilities of use will be endless.
Ingrediants
- 1 whole fennel
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and Pepper To Taste.
Steps
Step 1. Wash the fennel thoroughly before using it in your recipes or before cooking
Step 2. Use a sharp knife to cut the bulb into rings about 1.3 cm thick
Cut the fennel the same way you cut the onion.
Step 3. Use a pastry brush to grease the fennel rings with extra virgin olive oil
Place the fennel on a wire rack heated to medium heat.
Step 4. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until you see the characteristic grill designs imprinted on the fennel pulp
Method 1 of 3: Browned Fennel
Step 1. Use a sharp knife to cut the bulb into rings about 1.3 cm thick
Cut the fennel the same way you cut the onion.
Step 2. In a pan pour a teaspoon (5 ml) of extra virgin olive oil and heat it until it becomes very hot
Add the fennel rings and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Step 3. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or until the rings are golden and tender
Method 2 of 3: Baked Fennel
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 190 ° C
Step 2. Using a kitchen knife, cut the fennel bulb into four wedges and place in an ovenproof saucepan
If you prefer, you can also add other vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, courgettes, mushrooms or any other vegetable that can enrich the flavor of the preparation.
Step 3. Use a pastry brush to grease the vegetables with extra virgin olive oil
Season with salt and pepper to your taste. If you wish, you can add any other spice or aromatic herb you like.
Step 4. Cook the vegetables for about 45 minutes
Method 3 of 3: Make a Fennel Stem Broth
Step 1. Using a kitchen knife, separate the green stems from the fennel bulb, then cut them into pieces small enough to be easily eaten
Step 2. Add the fennel stalks to a chicken or vegetable broth
If you wish, you can add other vegetables to your taste. Season with salt and pepper. You can also choose to add any spice or aromatic herb you like.
Step 3. Let the broth simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender
Advice
- Once you have learned to appreciate the flavor of fennel, you can try incorporating it into many different preparations. Finely chop the white bulb of the fennel and add it to sauces, soups, starters, risottos or salads, for example.
- If you want to eat fennel seeds, try toasting them first in a pan with the addition of a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil. When the seeds are slightly golden and start to crackle open, proceed with the preparation of the recipe, adding the other necessary ingredients to the pan along with the seeds already present.
