Once again, it was hotter than h-e-double hockey sticks outside, so I didn’t want to run the oven at all. I made my dinner out on the grill, and this was my side dish. I must admit, this was my first time cooking with fennel! I’ve never given this delicious vegetable a try until today, and I’m a total convert. This stuff is delicious, and quite healthy for you too. The best way to describe it would be in the words of my cookbook: a licorice-flavored celery-like vegetable. Indeed, raw it is crunchy like celery and has a strong licorice flavor. Cooked, it gets soft like a cooked onion and the licorice flavor is still there, but not so pronounced. How I cooked it today was very simply, but it turned me into a fennel convert, so it was quite tasty!
Grilled Fennel
- 1 bulb fennel
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Cut fennel tops off leaving only the white bulb at the bottom, reserve the tops and frawns. Cut fennel lengthwise, or up and down, in 1/2″ “steaks”. Brush both sides with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat for about 7-8 minutes total, about 3-4 minutes a side.
