Roasted Fennel Dip Food

THE BEST ROASTED FENNEL

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F.
• Pick 2 tablespoons of the tender green fronds from the tops of the fennel bulbs and set aside. Cut the remaining top and bottom from each fennel bulb, then cut the bulb in half lengthwise through the core. Use the tip of the knife to cut an upside-down "V" on the bottom of each bulb to remove most of the core, leaving just enough so the bulb stays intact. Cut each half through the core into wedges, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Add the fennel bulb, thyme, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes and 3/4 teaspoon salt to a large bowl and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Roast in the oven until the fennel is very tender and lightly browned in spots, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, top with the reserved fennel fronds and serve with the lemon wedges.

ROASTED RED PEPPER AND GARLIC DIP WITH FENNEL CRUDITES

Steps:

• Trim fennel stalks flush with bulbs and discard any tough outer layers. Cut bulbs lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices and, if desired, halve slices lengthwise. Transfer fennel to a bowl of ice and cold water. Chill fennel at least 30 minutes, or until crisp, and up to 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• While fennel is chilling, make dip:
• Quarter bell pepper lengthwise and discard stems, seeds,and ribs. In a shallow baking pan arrange quarters skin side up. Separate garlic cloves, leaving skins intact, and wrap together in foil. Add garlic package to pan with bell pepper and bake in upper third of oven 20 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel pepper and transfer to a blender. Remove garlic from foil and squeeze pulp into blender.
• In a small heavy skillet dry-roast cumin and caraway seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant and a few shades darker, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn them. In a cleaned electric coffee/spice grinder grind seeds to a powder and add to pepper mixture with remaining dip ingredients. Purée mixture until smooth. Dip may be made 5 days ahead and chilled, covered.
• Drain fennel in a colander and pat dry.
• Serve dip with fennel.

ROASTED FENNEL DIP

Steps:

• Roasted fennel puree: on baking sheet, combine fennel bulb, water, olive oil and salt. Roast in oven until fennel is caramelized and soft, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth.
• In bowl, combine 1 1/3 cups fennel puree, sour cream, vinegar, thyme and lemon zest. Serve or immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.