Fennel...so now what do I do?!

[evamum]

Fennel is half price in Tesco so I bought some, but apart from using it as a herb or chopping it up and bunging in a casserole I have no idea what I can do with it.

I have an 11 month old to feed as well, so any baby friendly ideas would be great!

You can roast it in a little olive oil, perhaps with some red peppers and onion? Its really nice with fish, esp salmon

Do I roast it whole though or chop it up?

Braising is good w/ chicken or fish
Cut it in quarters, from the root so it doesn't fall apart
Fry in a little oo
Then when browned add stock/wine and cover cook down for 20 mins or so
Wouldn't have thought 11mo would like it, it's very aniseedy.

Goes nicely in a fresh tomato sauce. Also v. finely chopped in salad with apple...yum!

Either raw, finely sliced in a salad with orange slices, capers and/or anchovies, dressed with a little olive oil.
Or gratinated (is that a word?) Slice, place in a casserole dish with about half a cm of water (depending on how much fennel you've got) and a pinch of salt to taste, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle over breadcrumbs and cheese (a parmesan/mozarella mixture is not bad, otherwise feta or even Wensleydale). Pop in the oven until fennel is soft, then grill the last few mins to brown the topping.
If you want to make it for a baby, all you've got to do is steam it and puree it. Most babies love it as cooked it's quite sweet. My DD certainly did, especially if I squirted a bit of fresh orange over it. It's a good accompaniment to fish as well.
HTH

you can also do roast tomato soup:
roast tomatoes (whole), two carrots, fennel (chopped in half) drizzled in olive oil, under foil at first. Then put in blender and hey presto delicious tomato soup
Eat with mini ricotta toast

Risotto.

I had some in organic box last week & googled it - nice waitrose recipe.

skin baby tomatoes
chop onion, yellow pepper, aubergine, courgettes and fennel

stick in roasting tray with mixed herbs, oil and garlic

roast until blackened (about 45 mins)

add black olives (chopped)

yum

can whizz up as pasta sauce, eat with couscous and cheese, put in toasties (lovely with cheese too) or sandwiches