Fennel is my new favorite food!

redheadbride15 · August 2015

The picky eaters thread got me thinking about foods used to dislike but now love because I gave them another chance. I used to think I didn't like fennel because I'm not a fan of licorice/anise. However, I've learned that if you cook it the flavor mellows beautifully. I had two huge bulbs of the stuff and I just roasted it up according to the recipe below with the idea that I would save the leftovers to share with DH for dinner tonight... but I just couldn't stop eating the stuff and just finished up 3 huge servings of it for lunch!

2 large bulbs fennel - removed fronds and cores, sliced thinly
olive oil (enough to coat the fennel well)
4 cloves garlic - chopped
salt & pepper
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Roast the fennel with the olive oil & garlic at 450 for about 20 minutes until soft and starting to brown. Then add the cheese and put back in the oven for another 10 minutes until melted and crispy.

Anyone else have a new-found favorite to share?

[Deleted User] · August 2015

Mmmm! That sounds amazing. I don't think I've ever had fennel, but now I need to try it.

I'm not a very picky eater, and I usually like things many people dislike (broccoli, peas, Brussel sprouts). Since I've stopped eating meat, my parents are on a real kick trying to cool things they deem "filling" when I visit, which means they sometimes try tofu or another meat substitute. It's really interesting watching my thoroughly "meat and potatoes" dad enjoy tofu and seitan, but he's even commented that he would probably enjoy a fully vegetarian dinner from time to time. Pretty cute

redheadbride15 · August 2015

@abcdevonn I'm not vegetarian but I try not to eat too much meat and we go meatless at least 3-4 nights per week. I turned my meat-and-potatoes husband into a connoisseur of vegetarian cooking! It only takes a few really well-made and satisfying meals to convince even the most die-hard carnivores out there that they really don't need meat with every single meal.

And you should try fennel. Really.

princessleia22 · August 2015

DH and I are both pretty picky eaters... very strictly meat & potatoes. But, lately I've been trying to be more open and attempt to try foods that I previously didn't like (or thought I didn't/wouldn't like even if I can't remember ever trying them)... especially vegetables and healthier foods. I've learned that I still don't like broccoli or cauliflower... although I now know that broccoli is the only fruit/vegetable my dog will eat. I always thought I didn't like avocado, although I didn't remember actually trying it... so I tried it, still don't particularly like it. To me it was mushy with very little flavor. I've discovered that I actually kind of like salads and they don't need to be drowning in dressing. I had always been strictly ranch salad dressing (I think that may be the only dressing I had ever even tried), but now realized I like some vinaigrettes much more. I still can't bring myself to try any type of seafood though... I got super ill the last time I ate seafood and just can't bring myself to try it again. I'm still a picky eater, but it's nice finally expanding my horizons a bit.

[Deleted User] · August 2015

I did not have this experience when I cooked fennel. It was an ingredient in a vegetable soup I made and all I could taste was that damn fennel. And I don't like anise / licorice either.

[Deleted User] · August 2015

redheadbride15 said:

@abcdevonn I'm not vegetarian but I try not to eat too much meat and we go meatless at least 3-4 nights per week. I turned my meat-and-potatoes husband into a connoisseur of vegetarian cooking! It only takes a few really well-made and satisfying meals to convince even the most die-hard carnivores out there that they really don't need meat with every single meal.

And you should try fennel. Really.

SITB
Any favorite recipes we should try?

sparklepants41 · August 2015

I love love love fennel! I recently discovered fennel thanks to some kick-ass Blue Apron shipments and now I can't get enough of it!

Until a few years ago, I found Brussels sprouts were too bitter - and I didn't like mushrooms until a few years ago because of the consistency and I just didn't think they had a reason for existing.

But now I can't imagine not having them in my life!

I don't think I will ever like acorn squash or lima beans, but you never know - stranger things have happened!

redheadbride15 · August 2015

FeeleyToBe said:

I did not have this experience when I cooked fennel. It was an ingredient in a vegetable soup I made and all I could taste was that damn fennel. And I don't like anise / licorice either.

I think you need to roast it or caramelize it at high temperatures so that it browns up - this converts the sugars in a different way than boiling or cooking slower at a lower temp. I can imagine cooking it in a soup would still maintain the strong licorice flavor. Next time try roasting it or sautee for a long time on the stovetop until it's soft and very brown.

mrscomposer · August 2015

Oooohhh! We were getting groceries the other day and J had to grab some leeks; right beside them was the fennel. I was eyeing it up, but didn't know what I would do with it, so I let it go. Now I know.

Also, J made a gorgeous leek and potato soup last night. It was perfect.

I'm another one of those who likes the veggies not everyone does. My go-to dishes are cauliflower roasted with garlic, and Brussels sprouts with bacon & rice. Yum. J is going to be away for two nights this weekend, and I think those might be my suppers.

redheadbride15 · August 2015

@mrscomposer I want to hear more about your brussel sprouts with bacon & rice.

I also love sprouts (which are, by the way, also awesome prepared in an identical fashion to the fennel recipe I noted above - roasting sprouts cuts the bitter flavor that some people don't like, and also makes them crispy instead of mushy/soggy like boiling them does).

mrscomposer · August 2015

redheadbride15 said:

@mrscomposer I want to hear more about your brussel sprouts with bacon & rice.

I also love sprouts (which are, by the way, also awesome prepared in an identical fashion to the fennel recipe I noted above - roasting sprouts cuts the bitter flavor that some people don't like, and also makes them crispy instead of mushy/soggy like boiling them does).

Yessss roasted sprouts are amazing, too. Toss any veggie in olive and roast it at 400 for 20 - 40 and it's guaranteed to be divine.

My rice dish is so super easy. Cook a pot of rice. Chop up some bacon and fry it until it's almost cooked. Toss in your sprouts (halved) and cook with the bacon until they're just tender and the bacon is almost crispy. Then toss in the cooked rice and stir everything to get the good bacon juice on it. So nummy.

ETA - whenever I do garlic roasted veggies, I always chop the garlic and then buzz it into the oil with my immersion blender. Better coverage that way, I find.

stefuhknee · August 2015

The older I get the less picky I've become. I always stayed away from any cheese that wasn't mozzarella, now (also thanks to Blue Apron) I am open to different varieties. I also hated caramelized onions but now I love them. I used to only eat the stuffing inside stuffed mushrooms and I've actually eaten the mushroom a few times. I tried mussels last weekend which isn't super adventurous but it was for me, I wasn't a fan.

[Deleted User] · August 2015

Oh! I tried raw oysters for the first time yesterday. I have mixed feelings about them.

arrippa · August 2015

abcdevonn said:

Oh! I tried raw oysters for the first time yesterday. I have mixed feelings about them.

I still remember my first trying them and I think I am still gagging on it.

redheadbride15 · August 2015

Oysters are pretty much the only food I cannot do. I tried them earlier this year (at my bachelorette party, actually) for the first time in many years, and sure enough, I gagged! Slimy, salty, flavorless, and really expensive - no thanks.

madamerwin · August 2015

I could take or leave fennel... I do cook with fennel seed when I'm using ground pork though.

I have a few foods I hated as a kid but learned to love as an adult:

- Tomatoes (how did past me hate tomatoes? God, they're good when they're fresh off the plant)

- Green and kalamata olives (I just grew a taste for them in the past year or two)

- Goat cheese

There are other foods that, no matter how many times I force myself to try them, I still can't make myself love them... Blue cheese, gorgonzola cheese, oysters...

mrscomposer said:

Oooohhh! We were getting groceries the other day and J had to grab some leeks; right beside them was the fennel. I was eyeing it up, but didn't know what I would do with it, so I let it go. Now I know.
Also, J made a gorgeous leek and potato soup last night. It was perfect.
I'm another one of those who likes the veggies not everyone does. My go-to dishes are cauliflower roasted with garlic, and Brussels sprouts with bacon & rice. Yum. J is going to be away for two nights this weekend, and I think those might be my suppers.

These are two of my favorite things. You should come over for dinner.

themuffinman16 · August 2015

My weird ingredient that I never used to like is cumin. If the right amount is added, it is delicious. These are my two favorite recipes with cumin:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/southwest-turkey-burgers-recipe.html

(don't skip the red pepper jelly. It brings the burgers to another level.

And this recipe which is the best chicken tortilla soup ever! Double the celery and the carrots and serve with tortilla chips and shredded cheddar cheese.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/mexican-chicken-soup-recipe.html

Here is my favorite is my favorite leek recipe... bonus... it has bacon in the dressing:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/blt-beef-leek-and-tomato-salad-with-bacon-dressing-an-extra-b-recipe.html

Here is my favorite fennel recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/risotto-with-asparagus-and-fennel-vegetarian-recipe.html

And another spice I never liked was tarragon but I LOVE it now. This is the best chicken salad recipe ever:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chicken-salad-sandwiches-recipe.html

redheadbride15 · August 2015

@themuffinman16 my H thinks he doesn't like cumin, but I've been cooking with it for the whole 4 years I've known him and he _always_ compliments me on my cooking. I started pointing out to him whenever he says "ooooh, this is good!" that it was made with cumin. He's only just starting to buy into the fact that he actually likes the stuff! Also, all those recipes sound delicious - thanks for sharing!

themuffinman16 · August 2015

And this is the perfect accompaniment to the Southwest turkey burgers. So easy to make and absolutely delicious. I par-cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave before I either grill them or put them in the broiler.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/grilled-sweet-potatoes-with-lime-and-cilantro-recipe.html

Fennel is my new favorite food!

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