25 minutes
A simple yet elegant side dish featuring thinly sliced fennel bulbs sautéed to perfection and finished with a touch of lemon juice or chili flakes.
Fennel Bulbs, tops and stalks removed, root ends trimmed, sliced
each
Fennel leaves, chopped, for garnish
to taste
Oil, for cooking
tablespoons
to taste
to taste
Lemon Juice, for finishing
teaspoons
Dried Chili Flakes, for finishing
pinches
1. Prepare the Fennel Bulbs
Use a sharp knife to remove the tops and fibrous stalks from the fennel bulbs, and trim the root ends. Peel away any bruised or damaged layers.
2. Slice the Fennel
Cut the fennel bulbs in half lengthwise and slice them thinly to ensure even cooking and a beautiful texture.
3. Sauté the Fennel
Place a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add the sliced fennel and let them brown undisturbed for a few minutes before tossing or stirring the fennel. Continue cooking until the fennel slices become tender.
4. Season and Garnish
Season the cooked fennel with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If using, sprinkle chopped feathery fennel leaves over the dish as a garnish.
5. Finish and Serve
Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness or a pinch of dried chili flakes for a bit of heat. Serve immediately.
Choose firm, unblemished bulbs with bright green fronds. The bulbs should be heavy for their size and free of any splits or brown spots.
Trim the fennel stalks and fronds, but don't discard them; they can be used as garnish or in other dishes. Halve the fennel bulbs, remove the tough core, then slice them uniformly for even cooking.
Use a wide, heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan to allow for even heat distribution and to ensure the slices have room to caramelize without steaming.
Start with medium-high heat to sear, then lower to medium to finish cooking for a caramelized exterior and tender interior.
Marinate the fennel slices in olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoning for about 15 minutes before sautéing to enhance their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
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