Fennel And Turnip Crudites With Fennel Salt Recipes

FENNEL AND TURNIP CRUDITES WITH FENNEL SALT

Steps:

• Stir fennel seeds in small dry skillet over medium heat until very fragrant and slightly darker in color, about 3 minutes. Add coarse salt; stir to blend. Remove from heat; cool. Transfer fennel seed mixture to spice mill; grind until fennel seeds are just coarsely chopped (do not grind to powder). DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
• Arrange fennel slices and turnip wedges on platter; garnish with fennel fronds.
• Serve vegetables with fennel salt.

ROASTED RED PEPPER AND GARLIC DIP WITH FENNEL CRUDITES

Steps:

• Trim fennel stalks flush with bulbs and discard any tough outer layers. Cut bulbs lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices and, if desired, halve slices lengthwise. Transfer fennel to a bowl of ice and cold water. Chill fennel at least 30 minutes, or until crisp, and up to 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• While fennel is chilling, make dip:
• Quarter bell pepper lengthwise and discard stems, seeds,and ribs. In a shallow baking pan arrange quarters skin side up. Separate garlic cloves, leaving skins intact, and wrap together in foil. Add garlic package to pan with bell pepper and bake in upper third of oven 20 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel pepper and transfer to a blender. Remove garlic from foil and squeeze pulp into blender.
• In a small heavy skillet dry-roast cumin and caraway seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant and a few shades darker, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn them. In a cleaned electric coffee/spice grinder grind seeds to a powder and add to pepper mixture with remaining dip ingredients. Purée mixture until smooth. Dip may be made 5 days ahead and chilled, covered.
• Drain fennel in a colander and pat dry.
• Serve dip with fennel.

CARAMELIZED FENNEL TARTS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute fennel in oil until softened. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, uncovered, until deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes. Stir in the thyme, vinegar, salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 400°., Unfold each puff pastry sheet onto an ungreased baking sheet. Using a knife, score 1 in. from the edges of each pastry. Spread fennel mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. , Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Cut each tart into 12 pieces. If desired, top with reserved fennel fronds. Freeze option: Freeze cooled pastries in a freezer container, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, reheat pastries on an ungreased baking sheet in a preheated 400° oven until crisp and heated through.

ROASTED FENNEL AND GRAPE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Once heated, place walnuts on a sheet pan and cook until toasted and fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer nuts to a cutting board to cool. (You'll use the sheet pan in the next step.)
• Cut the fennel bulbs in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 1-inch wedges (you'll have about 6), taking care to include a bit of core in each slice to hold it together while cooking. Arrange the slices on the sheet pan, ensuring they do not overlap. Add the grapes to a corner of the sheet pan. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over the fennel and grapes. Season with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Roast for 40 minutes, flipping the fennel and shaking the grapes around at the 20-minute mark. When done, the fennel should be tender and browned; the grapes should be a bit withered and caramelized in some spots. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roughly chop the cooled walnuts, and set aside while you prepare the dressing: In a small glass jar, combine the shallot, sherry vinegar, orange zest and juice, mustard, salt, black pepper and olive oil. Cover and shake well to combine. Set aside.
• Assemble the salad: Transfer the roasted fennel and grapes to a platter. Spoon 4 tablespoons of the dressing over the roasted fennel and grapes, ensuring the shallot rings are evenly distributed. (Extra dressing can be served alongside.) Top with chopped nuts. Just before serving, grate the Manchego cheese on the largest hole of a box grater. Top salad with Manchego, reserved fennel fronds and a few more cracks of black pepper. Serve immediately.