Randy Chandler
Fennel is a versatile vegetable with a subtle sweetness and licorice-like flavour when raw. When cooked, its flavour profile changes, and it becomes sweet and mellow. There are several types of cheese that pair well with fennel, enhancing its flavour and making it a delicious side dish or ingredient in recipes such as mac 'n' cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Gruyère, Parmigiano, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Goat Cheese, Blue Cheese |
| Fennel preparation | Raw, Caramelized, Roasted |
| Fennel part | Fronds, Bulbs |
| Spices | Coriander, Cumin, Garlic, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper, Thyme |
| Other ingredients | Breadcrumbs, Mayonnaise, Olive oil, Lemon juice, Fresh herbs, Balsamic vinegar, Pasta |
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What You'll Learn
Caramelized fennel mac 'n' cheese
Caramelized Fennel Mac 'n Cheese
Ingredients
- Fennel
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Flour
- Milk
- Nutmeg
- Fontina cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- Elbow pasta
Method
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Toss the fennel with two tablespoons of melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Spread the fennel into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fennel is softened and golden brown.
Meanwhile, cook your pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until it is al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water for later. In a separate pan, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium-high heat. Add flour and whisk until frothy and smooth. Slowly drizzle in milk, whisking vigorously to remove any lumps.
Add the cooked fennel to the cheese sauce and stir well to combine. Fold in the cooked pasta until it is evenly coated with the cheese sauce. Pour the mixture into a lightly buttered casserole dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
Tips
The licorice flavour of raw fennel is tamed during the caramelization process, bringing out the natural sweetness of the vegetable. This recipe combines the sweetness of caramelized fennel with a rich and creamy four-cheese mac 'n cheese, resulting in a flavourful and indulgent dish.
For added flavour, you can caramelize onion and garlic with the fennel, or include herbs, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese.
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Roasted fennel with Parmigiano cheese
To prepare this dish, start by trimming the fennel and cutting it into thick slices or wedges. Place the fennel in a baking dish, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and then top it with grated Parmigiano cheese. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the fennel and cheese. You can also add a pinch of ground fennel seeds to enhance the flavour.
Roast the fennel in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until the fennel turns golden. Then, sprinkle more grated Parmigiano cheese over the roasting fennel, coating each wedge evenly. Return the fennel to the oven and roast for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is nicely browned and the fennel is fork-tender.
To finish, transfer the roasted fennel wedges to a serving platter. If desired, sprinkle a few drops of good-quality balsamic vinegar over the wedges. Garnish with chopped fennel fronds for a touch of elegance and freshness. Serve this dish alongside chicken, lamb, fish, or hearty vegetarian mains. It also makes a wonderful topping for flatbreads and pizzas.
This roasted fennel with Parmigiano cheese recipe is a delightful way to elevate a simple vegetable. The combination of flavours and textures makes it a crowd-pleaser and a versatile side dish for any occasion. Enjoy the sweet and nutty flavours of the fennel paired with the salty, savoury notes of the Parmigiano cheese!
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Spiced roasted fennel with goat cheese
To make this dish, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Start by discarding the hard outer shell of the fennel and slicing the bulb into thin strips. In a baking sheet, add the fennel along with spices such as cumin, coriander, paprika, garlic, salt, and oil. Mix well to coat the fennel evenly.
Spread the spiced fennel evenly over the tray and bake for about 12-15 minutes, until it is slightly golden and tender. Then, crumble goat cheese all over the roasted fennel and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese is slightly melted.
For an extra touch of flavor, you can add fresh herbs, such as dill, and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the dish. Serve this spiced roasted fennel with goat cheese as a side dish alongside chicken, lamb, or fish, or enjoy it as a flavorful appetizer.
Additionally, if you're looking for other cheese and fennel combinations, you can try making caramelized fennel grilled cheese with Gruyère cheese or a five-cheese mac 'n cheese with caramelized fennel. Both of these dishes offer a unique blend of flavors and textures that complement the sweetness of fennel.
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Fennel grilled cheese
Ingredients
- Fennel
- Gruyère cheese
- Bread
- Mayonnaise
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Crushed red pepper
- Black pepper
- Thyme
Instructions
Start by preparing the fennel by removing the thin green fronds and setting them aside. Cut off the tough, green stems from the white bulb and slice the bulb into quarters. Remove the triangular core at the base of each quarter and slice each quarter crosswise into thin slices.
Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and drizzle olive oil into the pan. Add the sliced fennel, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper to the pan and stir to combine. Continue stirring until the fennel turns translucent and releases its moisture, about 5 minutes. If the fennel starts to look dry, add more olive oil.
While the fennel cooks, shred the Gruyère cheese on a box grater and set it aside. Once the fennel is done, turn off the heat and add the thyme and reserved fennel fronds. Stir to combine and transfer the fennel mixture to a small bowl.
Wipe out the skillet and assemble the sandwiches. Spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Place four slices of bread, mayo-side down, in the cold skillet. Top each slice with shredded Gruyère, followed by the fennel mixture, and then more cheese. Finish with the remaining slices of bread, mayo-side up.
Turn the heat to medium-low and toast the sandwiches until the bread is golden-brown and beginning to darken, about 5 minutes per side. The low heat will slowly melt the cheese and allow the bread to crisp.
Variations
In addition to grilled cheese, there are several other ways to enjoy fennel and cheese together:
- Roasted fennel with Parmigiano: This simple dish combines roasted fennel bulbs with extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. It can be served as a side dish or garnished with balsamic vinegar for an elegant touch.
- Fennel Mac 'n Cheese: This rich and creamy dish combines caramelized fennel with a four- or five-cheese macaroni and cheese. The fennel adds a subtle sweetness and licorice undertone to the dish.
- Spiced roasted fennel with goat cheese: This dish combines sweet, roasted fennel spiced with coriander, cumin, and garlic, topped with creamy goat cheese. It can be served as an elegant side.
- Fennel gratin: This star side dish features baked fennel wedges tossed with breadcrumbs, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. It can be served as a side for lighter fare such as chicken or fish, or as a dressy side for a holiday meal.
- Fennel Blue: This cheese from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company is their fan-favorite Bay Blue infused with fennel seeds. It has a mild blue pungency with a hint of fennel sweetness and earthy, umami flavors. It can be enjoyed alongside a gin and tonic or crumbled on top of a salad.
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Fennel seeds with blue cheese
Fennel seeds have a strong, sweet flavour that can be overwhelming for some. Blue cheese is a strong, pungent cheese with a unique flavour and a distinct smell. When paired together, the fennel seeds and blue cheese complement each other, creating a well-balanced flavour profile. The fennel seeds add a subtle sweetness to the blue cheese, while the cheese tempers the sweetness of the fennel, making it a more palatable combination.
Fennel Blue is a popular cheese made by the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company. It is a flavoured version of their fan-favourite Bay Blue, infused with fennel seeds. This cheese has a mild blue pungency with a hint of fennel sweetness, showcasing the earthy and umami flavours of Bay Blue. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed alongside a gin and tonic, crumbled on top of a salad, or incorporated into pasta dishes.
Fennel and blue cheese can also be combined with other ingredients to create unique dishes. For example, fennel wedges can be tossed with breadcrumbs, mozzarella, and parmesan, and baked until golden brown to create a delicious side dish. This combination of fennel, breadcrumbs, and cheese creates a crispy and cheesy texture that pairs well with lighter fare such as chicken or fish.
When choosing a blue cheese to pair with fennel seeds, consider the intensity of the cheese's flavour. A milder blue cheese, such as Bay Blue, can provide a good balance with the fennel seeds without being overwhelming. However, if a stronger flavour is desired, a more pungent blue cheese can be used.
The texture of the cheese is also an important consideration. A creamy blue cheese will melt smoothly and create a rich, indulgent mouthfeel when combined with fennel seeds. A crumblier blue cheese, on the other hand, can add a pleasant texture contrast to the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a variety of cheese and fennel combinations that work well together, including:
- Caramelized fennel grilled cheese with Gruyère
- Roasted fennel with Parmigiano (Parmesan)
- Spiced and roasted fennel with goat cheese
- Caramelized fennel mac 'n' cheese
- Fennel blue cheese
Caramelized fennel grilled cheese is a tasty sandwich that can be served as a casual meal for one or a fun dinner with friends.
Gruyère is a nutty, Swiss cheese with a slightly sweet taste and a strong aroma.
Roasted fennel with Parmigiano is a simple side dish that can be served with chicken, lamb, or fish. It consists of roasted fennel bulbs dressed in extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon, and Parmesan cheese.
Spiced and roasted fennel with goat cheese is an easy yet elegant side dish. The sweetness of the roasted fennel is complemented by the tangy, creamy goat cheese and a mix of spices.
