How do you cook with fennel stalks?
Build a “raft” of fennel stalks, pierced through with a skewer to bind them (if using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes to keep them from burning). Place the stalks under a piece of fish when grilling or roasting to impart subtle flavor during cooking.
How do you prepare raw fennel bulbs?
Prepare Raw Fennel Select rounder bulbs, rather than the flattened ones, for the best flavor. The bulbs should be a bright white color without soft spots. Use a sharp knife to cut away the stems and the root end of the fennel bulbs. Cut the bulb in half. Remove the tough core from the center of each piece.
What is fennel and how do you use it?
Sprinkled fronds are regularly used as a garnish for soups, stews, and pastas. The stalks add flavor to stocks or roasted poultry or fish (stuff them into the cavity). Raw fennel wedges make a sophisticated finger food when topped with hunks of good-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano and finished with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
How to cook fennel and potatoes?
All you need are chicken broth, lemon wedges, and half an hour to turn fennel and potatoes into a flavor-packed side dish. Halved fennel bulbs are parboiled, topped with butter, Parmesan, and thyme, and baked until tender and golden brown.
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What do you do with fennel heads?
Recipes most often call for the bulb, but don't toss those tops! Finely mince the fronds to use as an aromatic garnish for salads, soups, pasta, and more, or save the fennel stalks and leaves to use in homemade vegetable broth.
What part of the fennel bulb Do you cook?
But don't pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious. Each part of the fennel plant has a different texture and use: the bulb, the long stalks that make up the length of the plant and the fringe of fronds at the top all have their place in the kitchen.
How do you prepare fresh fennel?
How do you prepare fennel?Slice off the stalks and fronds.Remove the root end.Slice the bulb into quarters.Remove the core from each quarter with your knife.Peel apart the layers of each quarter, then slice into your desired size and shape.
Can you do anything with the tops of fennel?
You can mix chopped fennel fronds into pestos, salsas, stocks, curries, and vinaigrettes for an added hit of freshness. You can use them to top yogurt dips, eggs, stir-fries, toasts, and seared meats. And they're delicious when tossed into green salads or strewn on top of roasted vegetables.
What health benefits does fennel have?
What are the 5 top health benefits of fennel?May maintain a healthy heart. A good source of fibre as well as heart-friendly nutrients like potassium and folate, vegetables like fennel may support heart health. ... May support healthy skin. ... May be anti-inflammatory. ... May aid weight management. ... May improve the symptoms of anaemia.
Is fennel good for your health?
Both the flavorful, crunchy bulb and aromatic seeds of the fennel plant are highly nutritious and may offer an abundance of impressive health benefits. Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects.
Does fennel need to be washed?
Wash and clean the fennel bulb and remove the core which is too tough to eat. Slice through the bulb and cut off the core. You should trim off the leaves and stalks, and book them for later use like garnish if you like.
How do you cut and cook fennel?
0:020:47How to Cut a Fennel Bulb with Martha Stewart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCut the fennel bulb in half from top to bottom using the tip of your knife cut along the line whereMoreCut the fennel bulb in half from top to bottom using the tip of your knife cut along the line where the core meets the rest of the bulb to remove the core in a wedge.
How do you clean and cook fennel?
0:311:26How to Clean and Slice Fennel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce halved you may need to cut it a small core as it can get a little bit woody at times. Cut onMoreOnce halved you may need to cut it a small core as it can get a little bit woody at times. Cut on either side of the core in a v-shape. Then remove it and discard.
What parts of the fennel do you use?
Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.
Can you eat fennel fronds raw?
All parts of the fennel plant—bulb, stalk, and the feathery fronds—are edible, and will add texture and flavor to salads, slaws, pastas, and more. Thinly sliced raw fennel bulb adds a sweet licorice flavor and crunchy texture to salads.
How do you cut fennel for roasting?
How to Cut FennelWondering how to cut fennel? ... Want more? ... To slice the fennel, place the fennel on its cut side and cut thin half-moon slices parallel to the root end using a circular motion. ... To dice the fennel, cut slices parallel to the root end, leaving room at the end so that the slices stay attached.More items...•
How do you cook with fennel bulb?
To slice the bulb, stand it on the root end and cut vertically with a sharp knife of mandolin. To soften the flavor of the fennel bulb, try braising, sautéing, roasting, or grilling it. Fennel stalks can take the place of celery in soups and stews, and can be used as a "bed" for roasted chicken and meats.
How do you cut and cook fennel?
0:020:47How to Cut a Fennel Bulb with Martha Stewart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCut the fennel bulb in half from top to bottom using the tip of your knife cut along the line whereMoreCut the fennel bulb in half from top to bottom using the tip of your knife cut along the line where the core meets the rest of the bulb to remove the core in a wedge.
How do you cut fennel for roasting?
How to Cut FennelWondering how to cut fennel? ... Want more? ... To slice the fennel, place the fennel on its cut side and cut thin half-moon slices parallel to the root end using a circular motion. ... To dice the fennel, cut slices parallel to the root end, leaving room at the end so that the slices stay attached.More items...•
Can you cook fennel stalks?
Here are some places to start. The stalks resemble celery stalks in texture and crunch, so you can add them raw to green salads or cook them down as you would an onion into quick stir-fries, pastas, or braises. Toss them into the roasting pan when you're roasting the fennel bulbs.
Did you make this recipe?
Place 1 tablespoon (14.7 ml) of vegetable oil in a sauté pan, and heat the pan until warm. Place the fennel pieces into the pan, and cook until tender.
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How to cook with fennel
The crunch of sliced fennel bulb, or fennel stalk means that it's often served raw - introducing a radish, or celery-like texture to salads or coleslaw. The fennel is usually cut very thinly, often with a mandolin, or even shaved over dishes as a crisp garnish.
What goes with fennel
The big anise flavours mean that fennel is a great vegetable for cutting through rich or fatty food, like pork or duck. Perhaps fennel's closest partner though is fish and shellfish. The sharp, almost lemony fresh flavours makes it the perfect pairing - from flavouring a classic Bouillabaisse, to garnishing a Scallop and tuna ceviche.
Fennel Basics
Often likened in taste to licorice, fennel is in fact far more subtle with a texture similar to celery, and, unlike licorice, the flavor is savory, not sweet. Raw, fennel is cool and crunchy. Cooked, fennel turns mellow and the flesh softens; it is wonderful alongside fish or chicken or tossed with pasta.
Sliced Fennel with Parmesan
Raw fennel wedges make a sophisticated finger food when topped with hunks of good-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano and finished with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Braised Fennel with Pomegranate
We love the contrast of textures and flavors in this sensational side dish. Fennel is simmered in a bath of orange and pomegranate juices, garlic, and chicken broth until silky, then served with fresh mint, fennel fronds, toasted hazelnuts, and pomegranate seeds.
Clam Pan Roast with Sausage and Fennel
This flavorful dinner-party dish combines sweet Italian sausage, kielbasa, red potatoes, fennel, and littleneck clams. Serve with slices of crusty bread so that your guests can mop up every last drop of the delectable sauce made from Pernod, clam juice, tomatoes, and tarragon.
Labneh Dip with Caramelized Onions and Fennel
Don't let onions have all the caramelized fun! Fennel lends depth of flavor, as does the addition of fresh thyme, dry sherry, and Worcestershire sauce. Serve over garlic-spiked labneh for a truly unforgettable dip.
Crisp Grilled Salmon with Fennel-Olive Relish
Wild salmon doesn't need much to impress -- just this simple, lively relish made with fennel, green olives, red onion, fresh parsley, lemon juice, and chile de arbol.
Shaved Fennel, Zucchini, and Celery Salad
Very thinly sliced celery, fennel, and zucchini are tossed with butter beans and a simple white-wine vinaigrette, then chilled for an hour to allow the flavors to develop in this fuss-free salad. Stir in toasted almonds just before serving.
What Is Fennel?
Fennel is a layered, bulbous vegetable that originated in the Mediterranean and has been used for centuries. In Italian fennel is finocchio, which sounds like Pinocchio and makes us smile. Fennel is used as an ingredient in recipes and on its own as a side dish to complement a rich entrée.
What Does Fennel Taste Like?
Fennel has a very mild anise or licorice flavor that can be enhanced or sweetened depending on how it is cooked (or not cooked). When diced and sauteed with onions as one of the first steps when making a soup or stew, fennel becomes very sweet.
Is Fennel a Type of Onion?
Surprisingly, fennel is not even closely related to onions, as the layers are the only resemblance. In fact, fennel bulbs’ closest relatives are carrots. Their wispy fronds look very similar to fresh dill, but fennel isn’t related to dill either.
Which Parts of Fennel Do You Eat?
We can, and do, eat all of the parts of the fennel plant. Let’s start at the bottom:
How to Cut Fennel
The bulb is the part of fennel you will use most frequently. When you look for it at the market, look for the whitest, firmest bulbs you can find, with at least three inches of stalk: the stalk keeps the bulb layers from drying out quickly. Look at where the outer leaves attach to the bulb: this area should not look spongy.
How to Use Fennel
The list of what you can do with fennel is as long as the list of what you can do with celery or carrots or onions. It’s longer than what you can do with any of the broccoli-cauliflower family vegetables because fennel is sweet and gentle and never offends anyone, if you know what we mean.
What's a Good Substitute for Fennel?
Celery is often mentioned as a good substitute for fennel, and that is true if you’re using it in a salad. But celery has a fairly assertive, nothing-like-fennel flavor when cooked, and if you don’t care for it, too much celery can overpower everything else, and you’ll be supremely disappointed.
What Are Fennel Seeds?
Fennel seeds are harvested from the plant's flowers and then dried. They tend to be pale green to tan in color with an oval shape. Like the fennel bulb, they have a sweet, licorice-like flavor that can lend an earthy, sweet taste to dishes, and they pair especially well with seafood and pork.
Are Anise and Fennel the Same Thing?
Fennel is sometimes confused with anise and although both are part of the parsley family, anise is a separate species entirely. Anise is grown mainly for its seeds, while fennel has the bulb, fronds and seeds to offer.
What's a Good Substitute for Fennel Seed?
If you need a swap for fennel seed, you can use anise seed since their tastes are similar. But keep in mind, you will want to use less anise, as it tends to be stronger. Depending on your preferences, other seeds will work as well, such as dill, caraway, cumin or coriander.
Fennel Seed Health Benefits
In terms of nutrition, fennel seeds are tiny but mighty: They contain minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium, which, among other things, help regulate blood pressure. They also contain manganese, which is important for bone health and healing and is being studied for possible anti-cancer benefits.
Where to Find Fennel Seeds
Whole fennel seeds are sold in the dried spices section of most supermarkets. While ground fennel is also an option, for maximum freshness and flavor it's best to buy whole seeds and grind them yourself at home. From there, enjoy them on their own or combine them with other spices to make your own unique spice blend.
Culinary Uses for Fennel Seeds
With a flavor profile that's distinctive and herbaceous, fennel seed is a versatile spice that can be used as a crust for beef or fish fillets (try them out here in this Fennel-Crusted Salmon on White Beans) as well as a seasoning for soups (like in this Fennel & Rice Soup ).
