As spring arrives with its bounty of fresh, vibrant produce from your local farmers’ market, fennel comes into its prime. It offers a crisp and refreshing counterpoint to the season’s other flavors, bringing intriguing nuance into delectable recipes. Its bulb has a mild, slightly sweet anise-like taste that isn’t overpowering, making it a wonderful companion to the delicateness of peas, earthiness of potatoes, and the zest of citrus. Below, you’ll find fennel elevating some of our favorite recipes, adding a delicate crunch and a hint of herby licorice aroma. Dive in and see what goodness fennel can bring into your every day.
Fennel Recipes Bring Springtime to Your Dining Table
Seared Sea Bass with Raisin Chutney and Fennel Salad
Seafood and fennel perfectly compliment each other with notes from the sea and soil alike. Bite into a piece of moist sea bass that’s alongside the sweet raisin chutney and slightly bitter fennel salad. Chunks of apple, walnuts, and lemon juice grace the fennel salad to add a bit of flair.
Citrus and Fennel Marinated Olives
Did you know that the citrus acidity of lemons and oranges brings brightness to fennel and cuts through its slight bitterness as well? Soak savory castelvetrano olives in a mix of these two ingredients for a tangy and buttery snack. You can even create individual jars to gift to your friends and family.
Seared Filet Mignon with Roasted Maitake Mushrooms & Fennel
A juicy steak meets meaty mushrooms and sharp fennel for a well-rounded bite. Fresh herbs are the highlight of this recipe that’s great for treating your partner on a weeknight. You may even fall for the mix of vegetables so much you push the filet mignon aside.
Muscovy Duck Breast with Blackberry Glaze, Sweet Potato, & Fennel
Duck breast flavors a meal with a gamey taste that combines well with the anise taste of fennel. Both of these elements meet nutritious and naturally sweet blackberries and sweet potatoes. The best part is this recipe lets you get creative with your plating. Experiment with different drizzle techniques and ingredient placement.
Vermouth-Braised Radicchio & Fennel
We know vegetables like radicchio and fennel can seem off-putting with their sharp flavor notes. But, by braising these ingredients, you can mellow out some of the edginess and infuse them with other spices. It’s amazing what a little chicken stock, herbs, vermouth, butter, and garlic can do in a pan.
Brown Rice and Lentil Salad with Citrus & Roasted Fennel
In case fennel isn’t as filling as you would like it to be, you can pair it with rice and lentils to leave you feeling full and satisfied. This nutrient-dense mix of brown rice, lentils, grapefruits, oranges, sunflower seeds, and honey make a lunch that’ll wake you up for the rest of your day.
Caramelized Fennel, Onion and Pea Soup
There are still rainy days in the spring so if you need a bit of comfort, this Caramelized Fennel, Onion and Pea Soup is ready to wrap you in a hug. Pepitas and crema top the richness of green vegetables and you can even use frozen peas to make this recipe easier. Serve along with your favorite crusty bread and your afternoon is set.
Buttermilk Irish Soda Bread with Fennel Pollen
It doesn’t have to be Saint Patrick’s Day to serve up a slice of Irish Soda Bread with a smothering of butter. We top a buttermilk version with fennel pollen for a concentrated licorice finish. Just don’t forget the preserves, coffee, or even lamb stew for an accompaniment.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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