Question About Fennel

[Ross101]

I'm about to buy fennel for the first time and I have one question. Is it eaten and used in meals pretty much the same way you would use an onion?

[Dawgluver]

I love the stuff. Yes to your question.. It has a slight licorice taste, and you can use the tops as garnish, or in a salad. I would more equate it with celery.

[GLC]

I find that fennel seems to do well with potatoes and onions. Although, rather than onions, leek is better, and a very nice fennel and leek soup can be made and garnished with fennel tops. It also does will with somewhat sweet partners, like carrots or apples. For instance, it's good in slaw. When cooked, the flavor will become more subtle and more complex. I think roasting produces the best effect. It can also be good with fish that's strongly enough flavored. I'd agree that it behaves more like celery, but more interesting.

[Aunt Bea]

What type of dressing should I use if I eat it raw?

[GLC]

That's interesting. I guess I'd try something like a raspberry (or strawberry, which might be better) vinegarette. I think the fruit component would work with fennel. I might be shooting for something that would be called creamy raspberry or strawberry vinegarette. That's something I haven't made, and I see some do "creamy" buy pureeing the fruit, and others do it by adding cream. I'd add cream.

[Aunt Bea]

So like a licorice Waldorf salad?

[GLC]

Actually, that sounds pretty good. A more lively sort of Waldorf, and I think walnuts would mate up well with fennel. No, wait. Pecans.

[Rocklobster]

Going through my Silverspoon cook book I have come across quite a few recipes that use Fennel. I have tried these ones and found them to be good. Let me know if any of these sound good to you and I'll give you the recipe. It also goes well with fish in various recipes...

Chicken breasts and Fennel au gratin
cream of fennel soup with smoked salmon
Eggs with fennel and mozzerella
Fennel with walnuts and orange
fennel with white wine
fried fennel
ziti with sausage onions and fennel

[Aunt Bea]

Originally Posted by Rocklobster

Going through my Silverspoon cook book I have come across quite a few recipes that use Fennel. I have tried these ones and found them to be good. Let me know if any of these sound good to you and I'll give you the recipe. It also goes well with fish in various recipes...

Chicken breasts and Fennel au gratin
cream of fennel soup with smoked salmon
Eggs with fennel and mozzerella
Fennel with walnuts and orange
fennel with white wine
fried fennel
ziti with sausage onions and fennel

Fennel with walnuts and orange sounds like a nice winter salad. What does the dressing consist of?

[Rocklobster]

This recipe calls for olive oil, salt and pepper. That's it.

That's why I love Italian cooking. Simplicity at its best.