Caramelized Fennel And Onions A Slow Easy Mediterranean Side Recipes

CARAMELIZED FENNEL AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Cook fennel and onions in olive oil and butter: Heat olive oil and butter in a large, uncovered, wide pan on medium high heat. Add the sliced fennel and onions and stir to coat. Stir occasionally. After about 10 minutes, sprinkle the onions and fennel with salt. Lower the temperature to medium. You want to strike a balance between allowing the pan to get hot enough so that some caramelization (when the natural sugars in the onion and fennel start to brown) and keeping the pot from getting so hot that the onions and fennel dry out. If it becomes an issue, you can add a couple tablespoons of water to the pan to help the onions and fennel to keep from drying out too much.
• Scrape up browned bits: Stir occasionally, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Note that the browned bits are the tastiest parts. Cook for another 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much of a hurry you're in, and how caramelized you want your mixture to be. The longer you cook, the more caramelized and browned. Taste test along the way to see if the cooking has been sufficient for your taste. By the way, the onions and fennel will have plenty of flavor without having to be completely cooked down and browned all over.
• Toss with Parmesan, parsley, lemon: When ready to serve, remove from heat and toss in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, the chopped parsley, lemon zest and lemon juice. Taste and add more lemon juice if necessary. Serve alone as a side to chicken or seafood, or on crackers or thinly sliced toasted baguette for a crostini. You can also use it as a filling for a rustic tart . Links: How to Slice an Onion

CARAMELIZED FENNEL AND ONIONS - A SLOW, EASY MEDITERRANEAN SIDE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet uncovered over medium-high heat. Add the sliced fennel and onions and stir to coat. Stir occasionally, after 10 minutes sprinkle the vegetables with about a teaspoon salt. Lower the temperature to medium. You want the pan hot enough to get the caramelization going but not so much that the fennel and onions dry out. If that does happen, add a tablespoon or two of water.
• Stir occasionally, scraping up any bits that are on the bottom. The brown bits are the ones with the most flavor. Cook for another 30 minutes or up to an hour, depending on how impatient you are. The longer it cooks the more caramelized the onions and fennel become. Taste test along the way. The dish will have a lot of flavor and doesn't have to be cooked down all the way.
• When ready to serve, remove the pan from the heat, add in the grated Parmesan cheese, the chopped parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and black pepper.
• Sprinkle with slivered basil leaves, if desired. Or serve with the fennel fronds.
• Pan roasted fennel is excellent served with Italian sausages, pork chops, roast chicken, seafood, or on crostini. I can't think of anything that I wouldn't serve with it.

FENNEL WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• In a skillet cook onion in olive oil over low heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
• Cook and cover for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally or until onions are very tender and edges are golden.
• Add balsamic vinegar and cook and stir until the onions are coated.
• Meanwhile, trim fennel; chop enough of the green tops to make 2 tablespoons.
• Cut each fennel bulb lengthwise into 6 wedges.
• In a medium saucepan cook fennel, covered, in chicken broth for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Drain.
• Arrange fennel wedges on a serving plate. Top with onions and sprinkle with nuts and reserved fennel fronds.

CARAMELIZED FENNEL AND ONIONS

Steps:

• In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high. Add fennel and onion, and season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover, add 1 tablespoon water, and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and soft, 2 minutes.