How to Cook Fennel
If you have been walking past fennel in the produce section week after week, stop and give it a closer look. Fennel looks like a cross between celery and dill weed with its long green stalks and feathery greens. While the stalks and greens can add flavor to dishes, the main part of fennel to prepare for eating is the white bulb. Remove the outer portions of the bulb and use it raw in salads or cook it with vegetable oil. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fennel
- Cutting board
- Utility knife
- Paring knife
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper
- Sauté pan
- Pastry brush
- Broiler or grill
- Baking dish
Instructions
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1
Select a fennel bulb with green stalks and a white bulb. Choose a bulb with firm stalks and fronds that are not wilting.
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2
Wash the outside of the fennel bulb and place it on the cutting board. Remove the stalks from the bulb by cutting straight across where the color changes from green to white. Save the stalks and boil them with other vegetables to make a vegetable broth.
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3
Cut off the other end of the bulb to remove the end of the root. Carefully peel off the outer layer of the bulb (similar to an onion) and discard these layers. Place the bulb on one of the flat, cut ends and cut it in half vertically.
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4
Examine the inside of the bulb to find the inner core. Use the paring knife to cut out as much of the inner core as possible without ruining the outer shell. Chop the bulb into chunks of uniform size for cooking. Reserve the outer shell.
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5
Pour approximately 1 tbsp. of oil into a sauté pan and heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped fennel bulb and stir. Cook until it is tender. The fennel will look similar to an onion while it cooks. Add salt and pepper to season. When the fennel is cooked, remove it from the heat and add it to a casserole or serve it as a side dish.
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6
Season the outer shell of the fennel with salt and pepper and brush with oil. Place it into a baking dish to broil under the broiler or place it directly onto a grill to roast. Remove from the heat after a minute or two when it is golden brown.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit rosevita: morguefile.com
Comments
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Today I cooked dinner for the first time in months, as my husband loves to cook. I grilled some salmon and I also grilled fennel. My husband saw me washing the vegetable and asked me what it was. I told him and when the dinner was served with a salad, he just loved it. To all my friends; if you have not taste it yet give a try. You will love it too.
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good
