Aromatic fennel recipes — roasted sides, shaved salads, braised with seafood, and elegant Italian preparations.
★ Dinner
By the incredible Bradley Steven Perry! Note: For a vegan option, use ½ cup Just Egg instead of the eggs, swap the butter to vegan butter or margarine and swap the chicken broth to vegetable broth.
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Open in Pepper →Fennel's anise flavor mellows dramatically when cooked — roasted or braised, it becomes sweet and almost caramelized, losing most of its raw intensity. Raw and thinly shaved, it brings a refreshing crunch and subtle licorice note to salads.
Every part is edible: the bulb, stalks, and fronds all have uses. The fronds work as an herb, similar to dill. The stalks can flavor stocks and braises. The bulb, halved and roasted cut-side down in olive oil, makes an elegant side that requires almost no work.
On Pepper, the most-saved fennel recipes are those that beautifully highlight one of the most versatile vegetables in Italian and Mediterranean cooking.
Shave it paper-thin raw
Use a mandoline to shave fennel very thin for salads — the texture becomes delicate and the anise flavor is present but not overwhelming. Dress immediately with lemon and olive oil.
Roast cut-side down
Halve fennel bulbs and place them cut-side down in a hot oiled pan. Don't move them for 5 minutes — the flat surface caramelizes into something sweet and almost jammy.
Save fronds for garnish
Fennel fronds have a delicate herbal flavor similar to dill. Chop them and scatter over finished fish dishes, pasta, or salads — they add freshness and look elegant.
Pair with citrus and fish
Fennel and seafood is a classic Italian and Mediterranean combination. The slight sweetness of braised or roasted fennel contrasts beautifully with briny fish and bright lemon.