Fennel And Asparagus Pie Food

ROASTED ASPARAGUS AND FENNEL

Steps:

• preheat oven to 425 degrees
• snap one asparagus and cut the rest at the same place on the stem
• slice one fennel bulb into bite size pieces
• chop the fronds and set aside
• put the asparagus and fennel bulb in a roasting pan and drizzle it with some olive oil
• put in oven for about 20 minutes or until fork tender and roasted
• Salt and pepper to taste
• sprinkle with the fennel fronds to garnish
• serve warm

FENNEL AND ASPARAGUS GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Toss fennel, 2 teaspoons of the oil and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt on a large rimmed baking sheet.
• Toss asparagus, remaining 2 teaspoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt on a separate large rimmed baking sheet.
• Roast vegetables until golden and tender, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer fennel and asparagus to a 9 1/2- or 10-inch pie plate and stir together. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.
• Gradually add milk and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, whisking frequently, until the mixture is beginning to thicken, about 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in pepper, nutmeg and 1/4 cup of the cheese.
• Pour mixture over roasted vegetables.
• In a small bowl, stir together bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Sprinkle mixture over vegetables.
• Bake until heated through and bread crumbs are golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

ASPARAGUS-FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool, then drain and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, fennel fronds, parsley, tarragon, lemon juice, anchovies, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a mini food processor. Process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Combine the asparagus, sliced fennel, Boston lettuce, mixed greens, peas, celery and pistachios in a large bowl. Just before serving, drizzle with the dressing, season with salt and pepper and toss.

GRILLED FENNEL AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high.
• For the vinaigrette: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic paste, lemon juice and zest, vinegar, salt, pepper and chili flakes. Gradually whisk in the olive oil. Cover and set aside.
• For the salad: Add the asparagus and fennel to the vinaigrette and toss to coat well. Brush the grill with some canola oil. Place the vegetables on the grill and cook until just caramelized and charred on all sides, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool briefly.
• Heat a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and the pine nuts; toast until just golden brown, about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool in the pan.
• Slice the asparagus on the bias into 1-inch pieces. Core the fennel halves, then slice them 1/8- inch-thick. Add the asparagus and fennel back to the vinaigrette. Add the currants, olives, toasted pine nuts, arugula, salt and pepper. Toss well. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the salad to absorb the vinaigrette. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with the shaved Pecorino.

VEGETABLE POT PIE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and fennel and saute until translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the flour, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Slowly add the stock, Pernod, saffron, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the heavy cream and season to taste. The sauce should be highly seasoned.
• Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for 10 minutes. Lift out with a sieve. Add the asparagus, carrots, and squash to the pot and cook in the boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain well. Add the potatoes, mixed vegetables, onions, and parsley to the sauce and mix well.
• For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the sides, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

CRISPY CHICKEN & ASPARAGUS PIE

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium. Spread the chicken out evenly in a shallow baking dish. Dot with half the butter and grill for 7-10 mins, turning occasionally until cooked through. Meanwhile, put the vegetables in a bowl and pour a kettle of boiling water over them. Leave for 2-3 mins, then drain.
• Scatter the veg and ham over the chicken, dollop on the crème fraîche and season to taste. Sprinkle on the breadcrumbs, dot with remaining butter, then slide under the grill for 5 mins more until heated through and the topping is crisp.

ASPARAGUS-FENNEL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus, onions and fennel in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. , Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in a large serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, olives, parsley and roasted vegetables. , In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with feta cheese.

FRITTATA WITH FENNEL-SPICED PORK AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat a 10" ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Add fennel seeds and toast, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add pork, 1 tsp. oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and cook, breaking up pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Scrape pork mixture into a medium bowl.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium. Add onion, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender and bright green, 3-5 minutes more. Add vegetable mixture to pork mixture, stir to combine, and let cool slightly. Wipe out skillet and reserve.
• Meanwhile, whisk eggs, Parmesan, cream, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a large bowl. Add pork and vegetable mixture and stir until well combined.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in reserved skillet over medium. Add egg mixture and cook, without stirring, until edges have started to set and pull away from pan, about 7 minutes. Transfer frittata to oven and bake until set, 10-12 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, cut into wedges, and drizzle with leftover beet green pesto, if using, or herbed oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BROWN RICE WITH FENNEL AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy two- to three-quart saucepan. Add fennel, onion and garlic and cook very slowly until vegetables are tender and translucent. Stir in rice and cook, stirring, another two to three minutes.
• Add the stock or water, bring to a boil and cook uncovered for three minutes. Lower the heat, season the stock to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer covered about 40 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.
• Gently stir in the asparagus, cover the saucepan and set aside for 15 minutes before serving. Serve with a dusting of Parmesan cheese on top.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Separate the fennel fronds from the bulb and stems. Finely mince the fronds to yield ½ cup. Slice the fennel bulb and stems.
• Cut off 1 ½ inches of the asparagus tips and set aside. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the tough skin off the asparagus stalks, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sliced fennel stems, asparagus stalks, and onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the rice or barley and broth, cover, and simmer over low heat 30 to 40 minutes, or until the rice or barley is very tender.
• Transfer saucepan contents to a blender or food processor and puree to the desired consistency in several batches if necessary. Return the puree to the pan and stir in 1 cup of the milk, the reserved fennel fronds, the asparagus tips, salt, and pepper. IF the soup seems too thick, stir in additional milk. Heat until the asparagus tips are crisp-tender, about 1 ½ minutes.