Peaches And Shaved Fennel Salad With Red Pepper Food

FENNEL AND PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• On a cutting board, chop and reserve 1/4 cup fennel fronds. Trim the bulbs, cut them in half and very thinly slice by hand or with a mandoline. Transfer to a large serving bowl and add the sweet peppers, radicchio, lemon juice, a healthy douse of extra-virgin olive oil, the reserved fennel fronds, and salt and pepper, to taste. Toss and let stand for 15 minutes, then toss again and serve.

PEACHES AND SHAVED FENNEL SALAD WITH RED PEPPER

Steps:

• Toss peaches in a large bowl with 2 Tbsp. vinegar and pinch of salt to coat. Arrange peaches on a platter and spoon any juices left in bowl over top.
• Toss fennel in the same bowl with lemon juice and remaining 1 Tbsp. vinegar to coat; season with salt.
• Scatter dressed fennel and fennel fronds over peaches on platter and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with some red pepper flakes.

SHAVED FENNEL & RADISH SALAD WITH PICKLED PEACHES

Steps:

• First, make the pickled peaches. Put the peach slices in a bowl and set aside. Tip the remaining ingredients into a saucepan with 50ml water and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 mins. Pour the mixture over the peaches and leave to pickle for at least 30 mins, or up to a few hours.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the almonds and fennel seeds on a baking tray, drizzle with the rapeseed oil, and sprinkle over the smoked paprika and a little salt. Toss to coat. Bake for 8 mins, or until toasted and slightly crisp.
• Pull away any tough outer leaves from the fennel bulbs (you can keep these to use for stock). Trim the bases, and remove the stems and fronds (again, reserving these for stock, if you like). Slice the bulbs in half along their cores, then lay them, cut-side down, on a chopping board. Very finely slice each half into half-moons, then tip into a bowl and drizzle with the lemon juice. Meanwhile, drain the pickled peach slices.
• Drain the radishes and combine with the fennel and a large pinch of salt. Leave to sit for a few minutes, then stir in the peaches, most of the cheese and half the herbs. Drizzle with the olive oil and scatter over the toasted almonds and fennel seeds. Garnish with the rest of the herbs, and a bit more cheese.

WARM CHICKPEA, FENNEL & PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing, pour the vinegar into a small jug, season with salt and pepper, then whisk in the oil. Leave to one side.
• Perch the peppers over 1 or 2 gas burners (or put them under a hot grill) and blacken them, turning all the time to expose the red skin to the naked heat. When completely charred, tuck them into a plastic bag and leave for 10 minutes. Scrape off the blistered skin, seed and cut the flesh into medium dice. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick fryingpan over a medium heat and tip in the onion and shallot. Fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, fennel, rosemary and bay leaf. Fry for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, without letting the vegetables colour.
• Pour 200ml/7fl oz boiling water into a heatproof measuring jug and whisk in the bouillon powder. Pour into the frying pan, tip in the chickpeas and stir. Bubble vigorously for about 5 minutes or until the juices have nearly disappeared. Remove from the heat and cool for a few minutes.
• Scrape the contents of the frying pan into a large mixing bowl, then throw in the peppers, lemon zest and parsley. Pour in the dressing and toss gently but thoroughly. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Char bell peppers over open flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose peppers in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel and seed peppers, then cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips.
• Whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic, and dried crushed pepper in small bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Peppers and dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Bring dressing to room temperature and rewhisk before using.)
• Toss sliced fennel bulb with half of dressing in medium bowl. Toss red peppers with remaining dressing in another medium bowl.
• Divide greens among 4 plates. Arrange fennel and red peppers over. Sprinkle reserved fennel fronds, olives, and Parmesan shavings over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.