Tunisian Fennel Salad Besh Besh Food

FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Slice two bulbs of fennel as thinly as you can (use a mandoline if you have one) and toss with red onion slices and some of the fennel fronds. Add kosher salt, lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil to taste and toss.

SEARED TUNA, WHITE BEAN AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Season tuna generously on both sides with salt, then sprinkle with the black pepper, fennel seed and pollen (if using). Drizzle very lightly with olive oil and rub the seasoning into the fillets with your hands. Set aside at room temperature.
• Peel and dice the onion and soak in ice water for 10 minutes (this will tame its bite). Drain the beans and put in a bowl. Add a generous sprinkling of salt and 2 tablespoons lemon juice and stir. Drain onions and add to beans. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving platter and set aside at room temperature.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons lemon juice, the lemon zest, garlic, a pinch of salt, crushed red pepper and 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Place a wide cast iron pan over high heat. When it is hot, add tuna. Cook for about 2 minutes, until a golden brown crust forms, then flip and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Take care not to let the spices scorch; reduce the heat if necessary. The exterior of the fish will be cooked, but the interior will be quite rare. For medium-rare, cook an additional 2 minutes on the second side. Remove from pan and transfer to a cutting board to cool.
• Using a very sharp knife or mandoline, slice fennel crosswise into very thin slices. Salt lightly and toss with dressing. Arrange dressed fennel around the edge of the platter, surrounding the beans.
• Cut the tuna in ½-inch slices and arrange over beans. Sprinkle with parsley and fennel fronds and serve at room temperature.

SHAVED FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place bread on one side of a rimmed baking sheet and walnuts on the other side (they cook at different rates). Drizzle bread with 3 Tbsp. oil; season with salt. Toss, squeezing bread with your hands to help it absorb as much oil as possible, until evenly coated. Bake until walnuts are golden brown and croutons are deeply browned and very crisp, 8-10 minutes for walnuts, 12-15 minutes for croutons. Let cool, then coarsely chop walnuts.
• Meanwhile, combine vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Let sit 10 minutes to let garlic mellow and flavor the vinegar.
• Whisk 3 Tbsp. oil into vinegar mixture, then add croutons and chopped walnuts. Season crouton mixture with some salt and toss to coat and let croutons soften slightly; set aside.
• Remove stalks and fronds from fennel bulbs. Remove fronds from stalks and coarsely chop; thinly slice stalks. Place in a large bowl. Cut fennel bulbs in half and thinly slice on a mandoline (if you have one; if not, practice your knife skills). Add to same bowl along with mint. Zest lemon half over salad, then squeeze in juice. Season with salt and toss to combine.
• Divide reserved crouton mixture among plates and top with half of the Parmesan. Arrange fennel salad over; top with remaining Parmesan and drizzle with oil.

TUNISIAN FENNEL SALAD (BESH BESH)

Steps:

• Slice fennel bulb in two pieces and clean. Remove finger-like sprouts from the top of the fennel, leaving only the bulb.
• Slice the fennel into thin pieces (I like to slice down the side to make moon-shaped pieces).
• Drizzle oil, vinegar, salt and pepper on top and toss thoroughly.
• Enjoy!

TUNA, FENNEL & BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• To make a dressing, put the lemon zest and juice, mustard, oil and some seasoning in a jam jar and shake well. Tip the beans into a bowl, pour over the dressing and stir to coat. Add the herbs, fennel and cucumber, then flake the tuna into large pieces and fold through. Spoon onto plates and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds to serve.