White Bean Soup With Fennel Food

WHITE BEAN FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion and fennel in oil until tender. Add the broth, beans, tomatoes, thyme, pepper and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until fennel is tender. , Discard bay leaf. Add spinach; cook 3-4 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted.

CREAMY WHITE BEAN AND FENNEL CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Trim the fennel. Cut it in half lengthwise and slice it crosswise, about 1/4-inch thick (reserve about 1/4 cup roughly chopped fennel fronds). Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium. Add the sliced fennel, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but still retaining a little bite, about 12 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour 1 can white beans and its liquid into a blender. Add the heavy cream, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil and purée until smooth. Drain and rinse the remaining can of beans and transfer it to the skillet along with the bean purée. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Mix the panko with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Add the Parmesan, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss to coat. Sprinkle evenly over the fennel-white bean mixture.
• Bake until bubbly and lightly golden on top, about 15 minutes. Broil until topping is browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes, if desired. Top with reserved fennel fronds and serve.

WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat a large pot and using enough olive oil to coat the bottom add the onions, garlic and fennal and saute about 10 minutes.
• Add the beans, stock, and bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer and cover.
• Cook until the beans are soft, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
• Add the potataoes and sausages and Tabasco and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and about ready to fall apart.
• Season again with salt and pepper and Tabasco.
• Serve and garnish with either a dab of unsalted butter or fruity, extra virgin olive oil and fennel fronds.

CARAMELIZED FENNEL AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a large sauce pot over medium high heat. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Once oil is hot, add fennel bulb, fresh thyme, and butter. Allow to cook until the fennel begins to turn golden amber brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add white wine and garlic. Add vegetable stock and white beans. Reduce heat and allow soup to come to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve by ladling 5 to 6 ounces of soup into a bowl. Garnish with a few fresh thyme leaves and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. See Cook's Note.

WHITE BEAN AND FENNEL DIP

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the fennel seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Lightly crush seeds in a mortar and pestle.
• In a food processor, combine fennel seed, beans, garlic, zest, juice and salt. Chop 3 tablespoons of the fennel fronds and add to the bowl. Process mixture until smooth; with the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Trim the fennel stalks and peel away the outer layer of the bulb; discard trims and outer layer. Cut bulb lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick sticks. Serve alongside the dip.

HEARTY WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH LEFTOVER LAMB AND SHAVED FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in your soup pot and add the onions, garlic, thyme and rosemary. I just add the herbs whole and pull out the stems at the end.
• When the onions become soft, add the tomatoes and lamb. Cook until the tomatoes begin to break apart and then add stock (5 min.).
• Season and simmer until meat is tender. This should be only about 20 minutes.
• Add the beans, mashing part of them to thicken soup. Cook until hot throughout. Check seasoning.
• Serve with a sprinkling of shaved fennel, red onion and chopped, fresh parsley and a drizzle of your best extra-virgin olive oil.

BRAISED FENNEL AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Add fennel and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and edges are brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add beans, stock, chopped oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in vinegar and butter; remove from heat. Garnish with oregano leaves.