Fennelseedoniondip Recipes

FENNEL PUREE

Steps:

• Trim the fennel bulbs of their stalks and bottom root. Halve the fennel lengthwise and slice each half into 1/4-inch thick slices. Peel the potato, halve, and thinly slice. Place the fennel, potatoes, garlic, chicken broth, and milk in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. If needed, add enough water to just cover the fennel. Bring the mixture to a simmer and continue cooking until the fennel and potatoes are soft, about 30 minutes.
• Drain the fennel mixture. Place the fennel mixture in a food processor and puree. If necessary, place half the mixture in the food processor, pulse to puree, and continue adding the fennel mixture until all the mixture fits in the processor. Continue processing until pureed. Add the mascarpone cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine. Add the mint and process until just combined. Add more salt and pepper, to taste.
• Transfer the mixture to a serving dish. If the mixture is a little thin stir a few times and let rest for 5 minutes, then serve.

FENNEL AND FENNEL SEED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it's just barely tender to the bite (it will cook a bit more in the sauce, so leave yourself some wiggle room). Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid before you drain the noodles.
• While the water comes to a boil and the pasta cooks, prep the other ingredients. Halve the fennel bulb and thinly slice it. Peel and thinly slice the garlic. If using a fresh chile, remove the stem and seeds and thinly slice it. Crush the fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle or put them in a small resealable plastic bag and smash them with the bottom of a heavy frying pan. Mince the parsley.
• Heat the oil in a large frying, sauté pan, or the pasta pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it just starts to turn golden and barely brown at the edges. Add the chile flakes or fresh chile, stir to combine with the garlic. Add the fennel, fennel seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring, until the fennel softens a bit, about 2 minutes. Add the wine or broth, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until fennel is quite tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add the parsley, stir to combine. Add the drained pasta and the reserved pasta liquid, stir and toss to combine everything. Increase the heat and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed and evaporated, and all the flavors have combined, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve with plenty of Parmesan, Pecorino, or whatever hard cheese you like on top of your pasta.

WHITE BEAN AND FENNEL DIP

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the fennel seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Lightly crush seeds in a mortar and pestle.
• In a food processor, combine fennel seed, beans, garlic, zest, juice and salt. Chop 3 tablespoons of the fennel fronds and add to the bowl. Process mixture until smooth; with the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Trim the fennel stalks and peel away the outer layer of the bulb; discard trims and outer layer. Cut bulb lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick sticks. Serve alongside the dip.