We love aromatic fennel for its sweet, anise-like flavor, prominent in the crunchy bulb and the feathery fronds. Here are some of our best tips for cooking with it this fall, plus new ideas from the Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen.
Look for: The stems of fennel swell and overlap at the base of the plant to form a bulb with white to pale green ribbed layers, similar to celery in appearance and texture. The light pretty green leaves slightly resemble fresh dill. Use them as a bed for steaming fish or in small amounts as a garnish. Choose fresh fennel bulbs that are smooth and tightly layered with no cracks or bruises. Fat, rounded bulbs with white and pale green color will tend to be more succulent than thin or yellow ones. Avoid any with wilted leaves or dried layers.
Prep tips: Remove the green stems and leaves, saving them to flavor or garnish other dishes such as soups or fish. Discard the outer layer of the bulb if it is tough and cut away any discolored areas. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise and remove the base of the core if it is thick and solid. Gently separate the layers with your hands and rinse well to remove any grit between them. Slice or cut as directed in a recipe. It can be eaten raw or grilled, baked, braised or sautéed.
Keep fennel bulbs in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If kept too long, they will lose their flavor and toughen. Here’s your toolkit:
- Mandoline, for shaving and julienning fennel
- Covered Casserole, for roasting and stewing
- Cast-Iron Grill Pan, to grill fennel bulb
- Chef’s Knife, to slice fennel bulb and chop fronds
Uses: Fennel can be served raw, shaved thinly as a salad or cut into spears for dipping. Grilling or roasting until the layers caramelize highlights its sweetness and pairing with sausage, salumi or seafood is a classic way to prepare it in appetizers, soups and pastas.
Fennel Fritto Misto: Season flour with salt, pepper, cayenne and a large pinch of cornstarch. Toss thinly sliced fennel and lemon wheels in the flour and fry until golden. Top with fennel fronds and serve with lemon wedges and aioli.
Shaved Fennel Salad: Whisk together orange juice, orange zest, lemon juice, a pinch of sugar, extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss shaved fennel with segmented oranges, parsley leaves and vinaigrette. Top with shaved parmesan.
Braised Fennel: Sear quartered fennel until well browned. Set aside. Saute garlic and thinly sliced leeks with a pinch of saffron until tender. Return fennel to pan and add drained white beans, drained canned tomatoes and stock, and simmer until fennel is tender. Finish with lemon juice, chopped herbs and shaved parmesan.
Fennel Gratin: Place quartered and cored fennel in a buttered baking dish. Season with salt and pepper, and top with sauteed leeks, cream and grated parmesan. Bake in a 375°F oven until fennel is tender and top is golden and bubbly.
Fennel Slaw: Whisk together apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, chopped fennel fronds, chopped parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss together shaved fennel, shredded purple cabbage and julienned carrots, apples and radishes. Add vinaigrette and toss until well combined.
Flatbread with Caramelized Fennel: Roll out pizza dough and top with a thin layer of pureed roasted garlic. Top with caramelized fennel and grated pecorino romano. Bake in a 500°F oven until dough is crisp. Garnish with fennel fronds.
Find more tips and ideas for peak-season produce here.
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