Chilli Fennel Frosted Nuts Food

STUFFED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut the top off the pumpkin or squash and use a metal spoon to scoop out the seeds. Get rid of any pithy bits but keep the seeds for another time (see our pumpkin seed recipe ideas). Put the pumpkin on a baking tray, rub with 2 tbsp of the oil inside and out, and season well. Roast in the centre of the oven for 45 mins or until tender, with the 'lid' on the side.
• Meanwhile, rinse the wild rice well and cook following pack instructions, then spread out on a baking tray to cool. Thinly slice the fennel bulb and apple, then squeeze over ½ the lemon juice to stop them discolouring.
• Heat the remaining 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan. Fry the fennel seeds and chilli flakes, then, once the seeds begin to pop, stir in ½ the garlic and the fennel. Cook for 5 mins until softened, then mix through the apple, pecans and lemon zest. Remove from the heat. Add the mixture to the the cooked rice, then stir in the chopped parsley and taste for seasoning.
• Pack the mixture into the cooked pumpkin and return to the oven for 10-15 mins until everything is piping hot. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining lemon juice with the tahini, the rest of the garlic and enough water to make a dressing. Serve the pumpkin in the middle of the table, topped with pomegranate seeds and the dressing.

ORECCHIETTE WITH FENNEL AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 3-quart sauté pan on medium-low. Add the sausages and cook, turning frequently, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove sausages to a cutting board. Add fennel seeds to the pan, cook until fragrant, then add fresh fennel, onion and garlic. Sauté until translucent and just starting to color, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt. Turn off heat.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 13 to 15 minutes. As the pasta cooks, quarter the sausages lengthwise, then slice 1/2-inch thick. Add sausage to the sauté pan and heat on medium-low. Stir in mascarpone and season generously with pepper. Add 1/2 cup pasta water. Stir and continue heating gently. Mince 2 tablespoons of reserved fennel fronds.
• When the pasta is done, reserve another 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain pasta - you don't have to be utterly thorough about it - and add it to the sauté pan along with enough additional pasta water for a mixture that's quite moist but not soupy. Check seasoning, fold in parsley and fennel fronds, and transfer to a serving dish, individual plates or bowls. Serve with pecorino alongside.

CHILLI NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Mix together the butter, sugar and cayenne, then toss through the pecans, and season with salt if you like. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread out the nuts in a single layer. Cook in the oven for 5 mins. Give the nuts a good stir and cook for another 5 mins or until they are crisp. Remove and leave to cool. You can store the nuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

CABBAGE WITH FENNEL, CHILLI & GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok and sizzle the fennel seeds, garlic and chilli for 1-2 mins until the seeds start to crackle and the garlic turns golden. Add the cabbage - don't worry if it seems too much for the pan, it will soon start to wilt.
• Cook for 3-4 mins until the cabbage starts to colour at the edges, then turn up the heat and add about 50ml water to the pan. Steam-fry the cabbage for a few minutes until all the water has evaporated and the cabbage has wilted but is still holding its shape. Transfer to a serving dish.