I am always excited by finding new and different things to make with plants in my garden, and these two Fennel recipes (Fennel Liqueur and Fennel Shrub) use up the whole plant - which is even better. And I love the anise or liquorice flavour. Wild Fennel Liqueur is made traditionally in southern Italy using wild fennel that grows in the hills. Using freshly picked herbs, it gives a fresh-tasting liqueur that also helps digestion. I used Florence or Bulb Fennel that I had growing in my … [Read more...]
Red Cabbage with Apple and Fennel
I usually make coleslaw with my cabbage so it was nice to try a cooked recipe for a change. This red cabbage with apple and fennel recipe can be used as a side dish or as a light meal. And it is a great way to use some leftover Christmas ham - in the recipe or alongside. 1 onion or spring onions 1 red cabbage 2 apples 2 rashers bacon (optional or use ham) ½ a bunch of fresh parsley olive oil 1 tablespoon fennel seeds (bash to release flavour) 150 ml balsamic vinegar Peel and slice … [Read more...]
Eggplant Recipe with Fennel and Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar
Eggplant with Fennel and Balsamic Vinegar is my variation on a Sicilian-style eggplant dish. I didn't have any capers and swapped out other ingredients too. 1 large eggplant (or several long thin ones) Olive oil Salt and pepper 1 small onion 2 large stalks from a fennel bulb Handful of pinenuts Handful of cranberries 1 clove garlic 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar approx 1/2 cup water Cut the eggplant into long thin wedges. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix well … [Read more...]
Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe
I had such a great harvest of eggplants last summer, so have been trying all sorts of different recipes to use them. This classic northern Italian Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe is one of my favourites. You can serve it with a salad as a vegetarian main dish or use it as a side vegetable dish with meats. I baked and froze slices of eggplant to use to make this recipe over the winter months. You can use courgettes or fennel instead of the eggplants and top with mozzarella cheese if you … [Read more...]
Fennel & Potato Bake
Slightly aniseed flavoured Florence or bulb fennel is great to grow in the garden year round - in summer you can use it sliced thinly in salads and in winter as a cooked vegetable. This Fennel & Potato Bake recipe has a lovely cheesy topping and is delicious. You can make it with whatever root vegetables you have as well as potato (such as kumara) and you can add other ingredients such as artichoke hearts or olives. I usually adjust the quantities to fit my roasting dish. 800g potatoes … [Read more...]
Potato, Fennel & Cauliflower Bake
This potato, fennel & cauliflower bake was a bit of an experiment that turned out to be a winner. I harvested a lovely big fennel bulb from my winter vegetable garden (along with a head of cauliflower that wasn't going to win any beauty contest) and wondered what to do with it. I'd heard that you could use fennel with potatoes in a 'gratin' (cheese sauce) dish, so decided to put all the ingredients in, along with some bacon, to make an all in one dish comfort food dish. 3 potatoes 1 … [Read more...]