Slow Roasted Courgettes With Fennel Orzo Recipes

SLOW-ROASTED COURGETTES WITH FENNEL & ORZO

Steps:

• Put the saffron in a small bowl and cover with 1/2 tbsp of boiling water. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the fennel in a roasting tin with the tomatoes and bay leaf, drizzle over some oil, season and toss together with the chilli flakes. Pour over the wine. Prick the courgettes all over with a fork and place on top of the fennel. Drizzle with a little more oil, then season and cover with foil.
• Roast for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs, turning the courgettes halfway through, removing the foil for the last 5 mins. The courgettes should be very soft. Lift the courgettes from the pan and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add half the lemon zest and breadcrumbs, and gently fry until the bread is golden and crunchy. Set aside.
• Cook the orzo in a pan of boiling water until al dente, then drain. Toss with the fennel, tomatoes, pine nuts, the saffron and its water. Season.
• Divide the orzo between plates and add half the ricotta to each, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Top with the courgettes and scatter over the breadcrumbs, remaining lemon zest and sprigs of dill.

FENNEL-ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prepare all vegetables and place in a large bowl. Cover generously with olive oil and Fennel Spice Rub. Cover and toss well to combine.
• Heat a very large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the carrots and cook for about 1 minute, then add the onions and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until the vegetables are nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat if needed to keep them from burning.
• Add the fennel bulb, zucchini, additional Fennel Spice Rub or crushed fennel seed, and salt, to taste. Toss well to distribute the seasonings. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and toss again. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the vegetables are deeply caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring them occasionally so they cook evenly. Serve immediately.
• Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.
• Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.

SLOW-ROASTED OLIVES WITH FENNEL AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Combine the olives with the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl, tossing the mixture together with your hands. Transfer the olive mixture to a baking dish, cover with foil and bake for 2 hours.
• Drain the oil out (keep it to use as a bread dip) and serve the roasted olives warm or at room temperature with assorted cheeses.

SLOW-ROASTED CHAR WITH FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Bring vinegar, sugar, caraway seeds, 2 tsp. salt, and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and add garlic. Let sit until garlic is slightly softened, 10-15 minutes.
• Add half of fennel and toss to coat. Let sit until fennel softens slightly and tastes pickled, 8-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place char in a 2- or 3-qt. baking dish and coat with 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until flesh easily flakes apart and a paring knife inserted into fish meets no resistance, 15-18 minutes.
• Drain fennel mixture; discard liquid. Toss in a small bowl with lemon juice, preserved lemon, remaining 3 Tbsp. oil, and remaining fennel; season with salt and pepper. Mix in dill.
• Serve char topped with fennel salad.
• Do Ahead
• Garlic and fennel can be pickled 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

ROASTED CARROTS AND ONIONS WITH FENNEL FRONDS AND HONEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Combine carrots, onion, and olive oil in a bowl. Toss to coat and place on a baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Whisk honey, butter, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Pour over carrots and onions in the bowl and toss to coat. Add fennel fronds and toss to combine.