In Season: Fennel and Baby Carrots
Posted at 6:39 AM Jun 25, 2009
By Kathleen Willcox
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I'd always avoided the bulbous root, probably as much for its unsightly, swollen, pallid and troll-like appearance, as for its overbearing dime store bought stale licorice-like taste. But I've found that pairing it with sweeter ingredients, like apples and carrots, mellows its harsh vibe - and braising or roasting the beastly bulb turns it into a gloriously fragrant, mellow dinner companion.
Fennel and Carrot Roast
Serves 4 as side dish
Ingredients:
2 fennel bulbs, stem and fronds discarded (unless you want to get all fancy and use the stem as garnish when you plate the dish) and cut into wedges
16 or so baby carrots
3 TBSP olive oil
2 TBSP apple cider or apple juice
1 cup chicken stock
1 tsp salt (preferably Kosher)
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Sauteé the veggies
- When deliciously caramelized (about 10 minutes), throw them in an oven proof dish and drizzle the remaining olive oil, the apple cider and chicken stock over them.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake until tender, about 20 minutes. Occasionally peek in and use a spatula to flip the carrots and fennel for optimal browning.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- If you like throwing cheese on everything, like yours truly, Parmesan adds a rich and unctuous kick.
Comments
You forgot to saute the fennel and carrots first. You jump straight to "when deliciously caramelized..." without telling how to caramelize them deliciously.
Posted 06/25/2009 at 06:48:43 AMOverall though, this is a very good dish. I have done them many times, although I use a sweet and fruity desert wine instead of the cider. I also add some julienned sweet onions into the saute and braise.
Posted 06/25/2009 at 06:52:00 AMOops! Hah, thanks Baron. I guess we can't just assume everyone knows how to carmelize deliciously, huh? Thanks :)
Posted 06/25/2009 at 07:11:03 AMDOH! I'm so sorry about that -- thanks for the sharp eye, Baron.
Posted 06/26/2009 at 03:07:45 AM