Fennel A La Grecque Recipes

FENNEL A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Pull off a bit of the green fuzzy fronds, chop coarsely and save. Cut stalks off at bulbs. If needed use them to fresh broth's flavor.
• Peel outer fibers off bulb with a paring knife. If outermost layer is dried or cracked remove completely.
• Cut bulb in half lenghwise. Be sure to cut thorough the core forming at point of wedges. Leave this attached or the fennel will fall apart.
• Arrange in single layer in large pot. Slight overlap is ok. Pour on wine and oil. sprinkle on seeds and shallot.
• Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook 25 minutes. The fork should pierce the fennel but you should still feel slight resistance. Check after 15 minutes of cooking and add water if dry.
• Remove lid when done. If liquid is left turn heat to high and quickly boil down liquid. You only want 1/2 cup remaining.
• Sprinkle the cooked fennel with the salt, pepper and fronds. Serve hot on individual plates and spoon liquid over each. Or let cool and serve as other courses.

VEGETABLES A LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a large saucepan over moderate heat; add the fennel and onion.
• Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, coriander seeds, and tomatoes and cook, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender and any liquid has disappeared.
• In a separate pan steam the cauliflowers and green beans until just tender.
• Once the fennel and tomato mixture is ready, add the mushrooms and cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in the cauliflowers and green beans, and season with salt and black pepper.
• Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm or cool.

VEGETABLES à LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• In a pot, bring the liquids, spices and herbs to just below a boil.
• Cook each vegetable, separated by type, in the seasoned liquid. Start with the onion, then fennel, then cauliflower or mushrooms, then celery. Cook each until it can be pierced with a knife and tastes delicious. As each batch is done, scoop it out with a slotted spoon or a hand-held sieve. Place on a cookie sheet to cool.
• If spices or bits of herb stick to the vegetables, put what you can back in the pot and don't worry about the rest - everything will marinate together, so things will redistribute. When all the vegetables are cooked, layer them in a 1-quart Mason jar - it looks nice if you do mushrooms, then onions and so on. Pour all of the cooking liquid over them, without straining. The olive oil in the liquid will rise to the top and create a seal.
• Serve alone as an hors d'oeuvre, or as part of a salad, or on little buttered toasts. Or in an omelet. Or in a sandwich. Anywhere, really, but in a strawberry tart. Refrigerate for up to a month.

VEGETABLES à LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• In a 3- or 4-quart saucepan combine vinegar, wine, olive oil, garlic cloves, shallot, bouquet garni, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, peppercorns, kosher salt and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 15 to 30 minutes while you prepare vegetables.
• Add carrots to the broth and simmer 5 minutes. Add cauliflower, bring back to a simmer, and cook another 15 minutes, until carrots and cauliflower are tender but not mushy. Using a slotted spoon, remove vegetables to a bowl. Some of the broth and seeds can come along with them.
• Add mushrooms to broth and simmer 5 minutes. Remove to bowl with carrots and cauliflower.
• Stir broth and ladle 11/2 cups plus some of the coriander seeds into a small saucepan. Set aside.
• Add artichoke hearts to the pot in which you cooked the other vegetables and simmer 25 to 30 minutes, until tender. Transfer to bowl with other cooked vegetables. If using artichoke leaves, steam them now. When finished, discard this broth.
• Bring reserved broth in the small saucepan to a boil and cook until liquid reduces to 1/2 cup. Pour over the vegetables, add lemon juice and fleur de sel and toss. Taste and adjust seasoning. Leave at room temperature until ready to serve (for best flavor, let vegetables marinate for a few hours), or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Just before serving, garnish with herbs and, if you wish, with steamed artichoke leaves, which can be dipped into the marinade. Serve on small plates with the reduced marinade spooned on top.

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SALAD à LA GRECQUE

Steps:

• Blanch onions in a saucepan of boiling water 2 minutes. Drain; cool. Peel onions.
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add water, celery, fennel, and onions; bring to boil. Add mushrooms, vinegar, salt, pepper, and coriander. Simmer mushrooms until tender, about 30 minutes. Pour mushroom mixture into strainer set over large bowl. Return strained liquid to same skillet. Boil until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 12 minutes. Combine mushroom mixture and reduced liquid in large bowl. Mix in parsley and thyme. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.
• Arrange watercress around edge of platter. Mound mushroom mixture in center. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.