Fennel à la Grecque

Recipe by: Simon Hopkinson | from Second Helpings of Roast Chicken

Cookstr

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Total Time: Under 1 Hour

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Inexpensive

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

This is particularly good as an accompaniment to grilled or cold poached fish such as (respectively) mullet or salmon but it is equally nice eaten all on its own, as a vegetable dish or first course. It is important that the fennel is extremely fresh, with the central parts good and white and its feathery fronds perky and bright green.

Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

5-6 small, very fresh bulbs of fennel, trimmed and neatly quartered
20 pearl onions, topped, tailed, and peeled
salt and pepper
Juice of 1 small lemon
1 tbsp Pernod or Ricard
¾ cup dry white wine
1 tsp fennel seeds, dry-roasted in a small frying pan until fragrant
2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
2-3 sprigs of thyme
2 bay leaves
4-5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp chopped parsley, worked together with any fennel fronds too, if you like

Directions

Put the fennel and onions in a large pot so that they are almost in a single layer. Season and sprinkle over the lemon juice and Pernod or Ricard. Add the wine, fennel seeds, garlic, herbs, and oil and put on a low heat to cook.

Stir together briefly, once it has come to a simmer, and cook very gently, covered, for about 45 minutes.

By this time the vegetables will be very soft and deeply flavored. Allow to cool to tepid or room temperature before tasting the juices to ascertain a correct seasoning.

Spoon into a serving dish and sprinkle over the parsley, and fennel fronds if using.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information is based on 1/8 teaspoon of added salt per serving and using 4 tablespoons of olive oil.

Calories 360kcal (18%)

Calcium 239mg (24%)

Vitamin C 62mg (104%)

Vitamin A 30mcg RAE (1%)

Potassium 1818mg

Magnesium 91mg

Protein 7g

Sugar 13g