Braised Fennel Au Gratin Recipes

PARMESAN FENNEL GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the stalks from each fennel bulb and discard. Cut the bulbs in half lengthwise through the core. Remove most (but not all) of the core by cutting a V-shaped wedge, leaving the wedges intact. Cut each piece into 2, 3, or 4 wedges, depending on the size of the bulb. Arrange the wedges, cut side up, in a gratin dish just large enough to hold them snugly in a single layer. Pour the chicken stock and wine over the fennel, then sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of salt and 3/4 teaspoon of pepper. Dot with the diced butter. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the fennel is tender. Remove from the oven and raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, make the topping. Combine the melted butter, panko, Parmesan, parsley, zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle evenly on top and return to the oven. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the topping is browned. Serve hot or warm.
• Note: The ingredient quantities were proportionally increased for this episode.

BRAISED FENNEL AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut each fennel bulb in half and trim the root end. Cut off any stalks that protrude above the bulb.
• Drop the fennel halves in the boiling water and let them simmer for 7 minutes. Drain, refresh in cold water and drain again.
• Using 1/2 tablespoon of butter, grease the bottom and sides of an ovenproof porcelain or enamel dish just large enough to hold the fennel. Arrange the fennel halves in the dish. Spoon the glace de viande over them and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Dot with remaining butter.
• Cover the dish with foil and place in preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until fennel can be pierced easily with a fork.
• Remove foil and sprinkle fennel halves with grated cheese. Raise heat to 500 degrees and return, uncovered, to a hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese melts and the fennel halves start to turn brown. Serve immediately in the dish in which they were cooked.