Best 11 Skillet Braised Fennel Recipes

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Skillet braised fennel is a delicious and easy side dish that can be prepared in just a few minutes. It is a great way to use up fresh fennel, and it is also a healthy and flavorful addition to any meal. The braising process brings out the natural sweetness of the fennel, and the addition of herbs and spices adds a layer of complexity. Whether you are looking for a simple side dish or a more substantial meal, skillet braised fennel is the perfect choice.

Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!

SKILLET-BRAISED FENNEL



Skillet-Braised Fennel image

Fresh fennel, which has a strong anise flavor and crunchy texture when raw, becomes mellow and meltingly soft when braised.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 medium bulbs fennel
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1 or 2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup water
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Flat-leaf parsley leaves, as garnish

Steps:

  • Trim the tops of the fennel bulbs; cut bulbs in half lengthwise.
  • Melt butter in a large iron skillet over medium heat. Add sugar and stir until melted. Add garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add fennel, cut side down, and cook until well browned, about 5 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to let the fennel burn.
  • Turn over bulbs and add orange juice, water, and salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover pan and cook until fennel is soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 to 30 minutes. If the pan becomes dry during cooking, add a little more water. If any liquid is left at the end of the cooking time, continue to cook, uncovered, at medium heat until the liquid evaporates. Garnish with parsley leaves and serve immediately.

BRAISED FENNEL



Braised Fennel image

Known more as a seasoning than as a meal, the bulb of the fennel can be turned into a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth soft dish that will wow your guests.

Provided by Brian Genest

Time 55m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 medium fennel bulbs
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
1 cup chicken broth
1 medium orange, zested and juiced
salt to taste

Steps:

  • Cut the green stalks from the top of the white fennel bulbs and cut the brown, round stump from the base. Cut fronds from stalks. Chop the fronds and set aside 2 tablespoons for serving. Cut bulbs in half 4 times, making 8 wedges out of each.
  • Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add fennel wedges, flat-side down, and brown for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for about 2 minutes more. Add garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds. Add wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Let wine reduce by half. Pour in chicken broth and orange juice.
  • Reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer until fennel is very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Plate fennel. Sprinkle with salt and garnish with orange zest and fennel fronds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278.2 calories, Carbohydrate 30.1 g, Cholesterol 33.6 mg, Fat 12.4 g, Fiber 9.6 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 789 mg, Sugar 9.5 g

BRAISED FENNEL



Braised Fennel image

An easy Braised Fennel recipe

Categories     Side     Braise     Quick & Easy     Fennel     Fall     Gourmet     Paleo     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 fennel bulbs (sometimes called anise; 10 to 12 oz each) with fronds
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup water

Steps:

  • Cut off and discard stalks from fennel bulbs, reserving fronds. Chop 1 tablespoon fronds and discard remainder. Cut bulbs lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices, leaving core intact.
  • Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown fennel slices well, turning over once, 3 to 4 minutes total.
  • Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle fennel with salt and pepper, then add broth and water. Cook, covered, until fennel is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with fennel fronds.

BRAISED FENNEL WITH LEMON



Braised Fennel with Lemon image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 large bulbs fennel
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon

Steps:

  • Trim the tops and bottoms from the fennel bulbs, reserving about 1/4 cup of the fronds. Halve the bulbs; cut out and discard the tough cores. Cut into 1-inch thick wedges.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add the fennel and cook, stirring once, until the fennel is browned, about 7 minutes.
  • Add 1/2 cup water to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Lower the heat to medium, cover the skillet, and cook until the fennel is very tender, adding more liquid if needed, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, zest half the lemon and juice the whole lemon; chop the reserved fennel fronds.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and uncover. Stir in the lemon juice and zest. Scatter the chopped fronds over the top.

BRAISED FENNEL WITH MUSTARD GREENS



Braised Fennel with Mustard Greens image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 pounds fennel (3 large bulbs), tops removed and sliced crosswise into 1/4 -inch strips
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 cup white wine
1 bunch mustard greens, washed, stemmed and julienned

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over low heat. Add the fennel, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the fennel is light brown around the edges and soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Pour in the wine. Turn up the heat and cook until the wine is evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the mustard greens and cook, stirring until wilted. Serve immediately.

BRAISED FENNEL AND ONION PASTA SAUCE



Braised Fennel and Onion Pasta Sauce image

Fennel is a delightful veggie tasting like licorice. If you use this over pasta you may want to thin it a bit with a bit of the pasta water. It is equally lovely as a side dish

Provided by Bergy

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup virgin olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, fresh minced
1 1/2 lbs fennel, trimmed and thinly sliced
1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth or white wine)
salt & pepper
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram, use oregano if you prefer it (substitute with 1 tsp dried)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (tarragon vinegar is good too)

Steps:

  • To prepare the fennel trim the feathery leaves and the ouside hollow stalks (chop the fronds for garnish or dry for seasoning).
  • You are now left with the fennel bulb.
  • Next trim off the hard bottom and cut a thin slice off one side of the fennel.
  • Lay it on the flat side and cut into thin slices.
  • Pour the oil in a skillet that has a lid.
  • Over medium heat saute the onion and cook until translucent about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and fennel cook stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
  • Add liquid, (not the vinegar) salt& pepper, cover and cook over medium low heat until the fennel is just tender.
  • About 10 minutes.
  • If the mixture is quite wet cook longer with the lid removed.
  • Stir in the herb& vinegar and adjust seasoning.
  • Serve over pasta or as a side vegetable dish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 203.9, Fat 14.1, SaturatedFat 1.9, Sodium 185.7, Carbohydrate 18.6, Fiber 6.2, Sugar 2.4, Protein 3.5

OVEN-BRAISED FENNEL



Oven-Braised Fennel image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     side dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 large fennel bulbs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup simmering chicken stock
4 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a baking dish.
  • Remove the stems and fronds from the fennel, quarter the bulbs and slice them one-half-inch thick. Arrange the slices in a baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Dot with one tablespoon of the butter.
  • Pour the simmering chicken stock around the fennel, cover with a lid or foil and place in the oven to bake about 40 minutes, until tender. Uncover the fennel, increase oven temperature to 425 degrees and bake 10 minutes longer, until lightly browned and most of the liquid has evaporated.
  • While the fennel is baking, brown the bread crumbs in remaining butter in a skillet and set aside. Just before serving the fennel sprinkle with the bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 164, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 17 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 475 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams

BRAISED FENNEL WITH ONIONS AND PEPPERS



Braised Fennel With Onions and Peppers image

A delicious side dish to accompany roasted chicken, pork or fish. It also works well as a vegetarian entree with whipped potatoes. The original recipe is from Cooking Light and appeared in 1995. This is my tweaked version. Fennel, for those less familiar, is a bulb shaped vegetable that lots a little bit like a fat celery, with dill-type fronds, and a anise-licorice flavor.

Provided by justcallmetoni

Categories     Onions

Time 31m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 teaspoons olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced fennel bulbs (about 1/4-3/8 inch thick)
2 1/2 cups sliced onions (half moons)
1 cup red bell pepper, strips
3/4 cup fat free chicken broth or 3/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
1/8 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1 -2 garlic clove, minced
2 -3 tablespoons thinly sliced basil
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fennel leaves

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add fennel, onion, and bell pepper and saute 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want to make sure all of the veggies get a chance to be on the bottom of the pan. At this stage, you will have a little bit of caramelization, but if you see too much browning your heat is probably too high.
  • Place the fennel seeds on a cutting board and gently press on them with the back of a chef's knife or rolling pin. You want to lightly break the seeds to release their flavor but not break them to bits or powder. Add broth and next four ingredients (broth through garlic).
  • Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in basil and fennel fronds.

BRAISED FENNEL WITH MEYER LEMON AND PARMESAN



Braised Fennel With Meyer Lemon and Parmesan image

Provided by Jill Santopietro

Categories     easy, quick, side dish

Time 30m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 fennel bulbs, fronds attached
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
Grated rind and juice of 1 Meyer lemon
Sliced Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Trim the fennel and roughly chop 1 tablespoon of the fronds. Halve each bulb through the core, then cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
  • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add just enough oil to coat the pan. When hot, cook half the fennel, without moving, until browned, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook 1 minute more. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Repeat with the remaining fennel, adding more oil to the pan if needed.
  • Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the fennel, broth, lemon rind and juice and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl. Raise the heat to high and reduce the sauce until syrupy, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Fold the sauce and reserved fronds into the fennel and top with Parmesan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BRAISED FENNEL AND POTATOES



Braised Fennel and Potatoes image

This is a hearty side dish to serve with any kind of beef, pork, fish, or roast chicken.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound small potatoes
1 medium bulb fennel
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper
Lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch slices and fennel into 1/4-inch wedges; reserve fronds. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add fennel and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on both sides, 8 minutes. Add potatoes and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes. Sprinkle with fennel fronds and serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 153 g, Fat 7 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g

BRAISED FENNEL WITH LEMON



Braised Fennel with Lemon image

Categories     Vegetable     Side     Braise     Thanksgiving     Fennel     Fall     Winter     Bon Appétit     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Paleo     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
4 fresh fennel bulbs, each cut lengthwise into 6 wedges
1/3 cup chopped shallots
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 garlic clove, minced

Steps:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over high heat. Add half of fennel; sauté until deep golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Repeat with 2 more tablespoons oil and remaining fennel.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix shallots and next 4 ingredients in medium bowl. Whisk in 3 tablespoons oil; drizzle mixture over fennel. Cover dish with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake until fennel is tender and shallots begin to brown, about 20 minutes longer.

Tips:

  • Choose the right fennel: Look for fennel bulbs that are firm and have no bruises or blemishes. The fronds should be bright green and perky.
  • Trim the fennel properly: Cut off the root end and the top of the fennel bulb. Remove any tough outer leaves. Slice the bulb in half lengthwise and remove the core.
  • Use a good quality olive oil: Olive oil is the key to a flavorful braise. Choose a fruity, extra-virgin olive oil for the best results.
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet: Be sure to give the fennel plenty of room to brown. If you overcrowd the skillet, the fennel will steam instead of brown.
  • Be patient: Braising takes time. Allow the fennel to cook slowly over low heat until it is tender and caramelized.
  • Season to taste: Once the fennel is cooked, season it to taste with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. You can also add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice for a brighter flavor.

Conclusion:

Skillet-braised fennel is a simple and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover fennel. With its sweet and slightly licorice-like flavor, fennel is a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you are roasting it, grilling it, or braising it, fennel is sure to please.

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